October 18, 2021
Impact of Wars of Children
“All wars, whether just or unjust, disastrous or victorious, are waged against the child.” Eglantyne Jebb
Impact of Wars of Children: Today, the conflicts in the Middle East have resulted in enormous devastation and loss of life. Those who fight to survive have been left to deal with very difficult problems and circumstances. Unfortunately, in such hardships and situations, children are those who suffer the most. They got exposed to abduction, abandonment, displacement, separation from loved ones, forced soldiering, poverty, health problems, and hunger. These experiences take a heavy toll on children’s relationships with their families and communities.
According to the UNICEF, the United Nations has verified more than 170,000 grave violations against children in conflict areas. In 2018, the UN verified more than 24,000 grave violations against children, including maiming, killing, sexual violence, abductions, denial of humanitarian access, child recruitment and attacks on schools and hospitals. Children may lose their sight, limbs, or cognitive capacity. In addition, many children are sexually exploited. Rape is used as a tactic of war against children in order to torture and obtain information. Such disruptions and losses in lives lead to high rates of anxiety and depression.
Children in war-torn areas are the most vulnerable to be used and recruited in armed conflicts. They are not only used as fighters, but also as porters, guards, cooks and messengers. According to the UNICEF, between 2005 and 2020, more than 93,000 children were recruited and used by parties to conflict. Those children are deprived from nutrition and healthy living conditions, and are subjected to substance use.
Such adverse effects of destruction of health systems and social infrastructure, displacement, and environmental damage, compromise children’s access to basic necessities, such as food, health care, and education.
Sources
https://www.unicef-irc.org/article/1061-violence-peace-and-stability-the-youth-factor.html
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