Children in danger
Every day, everywhere, children living in conflict zones face unspeakable horrors. They are not safe at home when they sleep, nor outside when they play, nor at school when they study, nor in the hospital when they need medical care. Whether it is murder, mutilation, kidnapping or sexual violence, attacks on educational and health facilities, or the refusal to provide them with the humanitarian aid they desperately need, children find themselves caught in the crossfire by belligerents on a horrifying scale.
Children at the heart of conflicts
The annual report of the United Nations Secretary-General on children and armed conflict reveals that violence against children in armed conflict has reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with a 25% increase in grave violations compared to the previous year. The United Nations has documented 41,370 serious violations committed against children, affecting 22,495 children around the world.
The highest number of serious violations were recorded in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (8,554), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436) and Haiti (2,269).
Killing and mutilation remained the most common serious violations, affecting 11,967 children. Most of the victims were hit by explosive devices, including explosive remnants of war, mines and improvised explosive devices, as well as crossfire and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Recruitment and kidnappings
Thousands of children have been recruited and used by armed forces and armed groups, often to participate in combat or perform support functions. The sharp increase in cases of recruitment, abductions and other related violations highlights the growing risks faced by children in conflict zones.
Conflict-related sexual violence
The United Nations has noted a sharp increase in conflict-related sexual violence against children, including a dramatic increase in gang rape. Girls were disproportionately affected, but boys were also victims of sexual violence. These violations remain largely underreported due to stigma, fear of reprisals, lack of services and concerns about the safety of survivors.
Refusal of humanitarian access
The denial of humanitarian access has reached alarming levels in 2024. Parties to the conflict have attacked aid convoys and humanitarian personnel, imposed movement restrictions, hampered relief operations and erected administrative obstacles, thereby depriving children of access to health care, education, protection and other essential services.
Ten-year-old Negma Ndakasi attends her evacuation at the hospital in Walikale, in the province of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo: UN/Sylvain Liechti
Attacks on schools and hospitals
The United Nations has recorded nearly 2,000 attacks on schools and hospitals in 2024, making this essential civilian infrastructure increasingly dangerous for children. Attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as their use for military purposes, continued to hamper children’s access to education and health care. The destruction of civilian infrastructure and attacks on protected installations have further increased the vulnerability of children in conflict-affected areas.
The protection of children in armed conflict
Ending and preventing grave violations against children remains at the heart of the United Nations mandate on children and armed conflict. Protecting children requires addressing the root causes of conflict, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, and investing in efforts to protect, recover and reintegrate children.
