In a recent review, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 2024 is set to be one of the worst years on record for children living in conflict zones, with the impact of armed violence on children reaching devastating and potentially record levels.
The report states that more children than ever are either living in conflict areas or being forcibly displaced due to ongoing violence.
With the world witnessing the highest number of active conflicts since World War II, the number of children affected by these crises has skyrocketed, now estimated at 473 million—more than one in six children globally.
This marks a dramatic increase from the 1990s, when around 10% of the world’s children lived in conflict zones, a figure that has now almost doubled to 19%.
By the close of 2023, 47.2 million children had been displaced, and trends into 2024 suggest this number will continue to climb as conflict intensifies, particularly in countries like Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the State of Palestine.
UNICEF’s findings show that while children make up 30% of the global population, they represent 40% of refugees and nearly half of internally displaced persons.
The report underscores the severe violation of children’s rights in these regions, noting that children in conflict zones are disproportionately affected by violence, with many suffering from death and injury, being out of school, missing vaccines, and facing critical malnutrition.
UNICEF further highlights that conflict now drives 80% of all global humanitarian needs, disrupting access to basic necessities like food, clean water, and healthcare.
These severe disruptions have created conditions where children are not only deprived of safety but are also denied fundamental rights to education, health, and wellbeing.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called the situation “tragic,” stating, “A child growing up in a conflict zone is more likely to be malnourished, displaced, or out of school than a child in peaceful regions.
We cannot let this become the new normal.” Russell emphasized the urgency of addressing the global failure to protect these children, saying, “The world is failing them.”
2024 has also seen record numbers of humanitarian workers losing their lives, with 281 aid workers killed globally—surpassing all previous records.
This, coupled with the widespread destruction of schools and homes in conflict areas, paints a grim picture for children who are deprived of a future.
As the world faces these escalating crises, UNICEF has called for immediate action from all parties involved in conflicts, urging them to respect international humanitarian laws and protect children’s rights. “We must do more to end the suffering of children, uphold their rights, and safeguard their future,” Russell urged.
Looking ahead, UNICEF stresses the need for collective global action to reverse the current trends and improve the lives of children caught in the crossfire of conflict.
The organization insists that safeguarding these children’s futures should be a top priority, ensuring that they are not forgotten amidst the world’s wars.
As UNICEF continues to advocate for children’s rights, the hope remains that 2025 can bring about a shift toward peace, security, and stability for the millions of children whose lives have been torn apart by conflict.