Armed conflicts worldwide created devastating consequences for children with 2024 shaping up as one of the worst years in the history of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Unicef, in a review published over the weekend, revealed a grim reality for millions of children living in conflict zones or forcibly displaced due to violence.
Over 473 million children—more than one in six globally—now live in areas affected by conflict with the world experiencing the highest number of conflicts since World War II, according to the organization.
Ongoing wars violated children’s rights on an unprecedented scale, leaving them injured, malnourished, unvaccinated, or out of school.
Conflict-affected countries also bear disproportionate rates of poverty, with over a third of their populations living below the poverty line.
“By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict in Unicef’s history—both in terms of the number of children affected and the level of impact on their lives,” said Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“This must not be the new normal. We cannot allow a generation of children to become collateral damage to the world’s unchecked wars,” she added.
The organization reported the following among key crises experienced by children in war zones:
- Human rights violations – the UN verified 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children in 2023 with rising numbers anticipated in 2024. This is the highest on record since monitoring began.
- Disrupted education – over 52 million children in conflict zones are out of school. In regions like Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, schools have been damaged or destroyed, depriving millions of education.
- Alarming hunger – armed conflict remains a key driver of famine, with over 500,000 people in conflict zones facing extreme food insecurity in 2024. In Sudan’s North Darfur, famine conditions were declared for the first time since 2017.
- Healthcare crisis – 40 percent of under- or unvaccinated children live in conflict-affected areas, increasing vulnerability to disease outbreaks like measles and polio.
- Worsening mental health – exposure to violence and destruction leaves lasting psychological scars, including depression, nightmares, and fear.
The Unicef also noted that women and girls are particularly at risk with widespread reports of rape and sexual violence. Haiti, in particular, registered a 1,000 percent increase of reported incidents of sexual violence against children.
Humanitarian workers have also faced unprecedented danger, with 281 aid workers killed in 2024, the highest number ever recorded.
Unicef is calling on all parties to conflict and global leaders to take decisive action to uphold children’s rights and adhere to international humanitarian law.
“Children in war zones face a daily struggle for survival that deprives them of a childhood,” said Russell. “The world is failing these children. As we look towards 2025, we must do more to turn the tide and save and improve the lives of children. “
