Posted on 10 May 2024
As the conflict in Ukraine persists with no end in sight, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm on a disturbing trend: the number of children falling victim to the violence has surged by nearly 40 percent this year compared to the previous one. In a heart-wrenching statistic, the first quarter of 2024 witnessed the deaths of 25 children, including an infant just two months old. The relentless attacks, which have continued into April, have claimed the lives of nine more children. Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, expressed her deep concern during a visit to the war-torn nation, emphasizing that the ongoing violence is not only claiming innocent lives but also setting back vital recovery and rebuilding efforts, further deteriorating the quality of life for the youngest and most vulnerable.
The repercussions of the conflict extend far beyond the immediate loss of life. The destruction of critical infrastructure has left thousands of homes in ruins and damaged 36 health facilities and 140 educational institutions in just the first three months of the year. The targeting of power and water supplies has disrupted essential services, placing children’s lives and well-being in jeopardy. Despite these challenges, UNICEF and its partners are tirelessly working to restore the damaged power and water infrastructure. The impact on education has been particularly devastating, with the war and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting classroom learning for the fourth consecutive year. Nearly half of all enrolled children are missing out on education, and close to a million cannot attend in-person sessions due to the ongoing insecurity. In response, UNICEF has been proactive in rehabilitating schools, providing at-home learning kits, and offering online support. In 2023 alone, the agency reached over 103 million young individuals with formal and non-formal education opportunities and delivered mental health and psychosocial support to 2.5 million children and caregivers. However, the need for aid is pressing, and UNICEF is calling for an additional $250 million to support children and families in frontline areas and to sustain humanitarian and recovery programs in 2024.
Source: UN News