Violence against children in war zones surged to "unprecedented levels" in 2024, a UN report said Thursday, with the Palestinian territories occupying top spot in the dismal rankings. The report documented 41,370 grave violations, the highest since global monitoring began nearly 30 years ago.
Issued on: 20/06/2025
By: FRANCE 24
A Palestinian man carries the body of his child who was killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. © Jehad Alshrafi, AP
From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against children in conflict zones reached "unprecedented levels" in 2024, a United Nations annual report said Thursday.
"In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 percent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023," according to the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The report verified 41,370 grave violations against children in 2024 -- including 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 committed previously but confirmed in 2024 -- the highest number since the monitoring tool was established nearly 30 years ago.
The new high beats 2023, another record year, which itself represented a 21 percent increase over the preceding year.
With more than 4,500 killed and 7,000 injured, children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said.
From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, violence against children in conflict zones reached "unprecedented levels" in 2024, a United Nations annual report said Thursday.
"In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 percent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023," according to the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The report verified 41,370 grave violations against children in 2024 -- including 36,221 committed in 2024 and 5,149 committed previously but confirmed in 2024 -- the highest number since the monitoring tool was established nearly 30 years ago.
The new high beats 2023, another record year, which itself represented a 21 percent increase over the preceding year.
With more than 4,500 killed and 7,000 injured, children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said.
A man runs near burning tires during a protest against insecurity in Port-au-Prince
Haiti on April 16, 2025. © Clarens Siffroy, AFP
There was also a marked increase in the number of child victims of multiple violations to 22,495.
"The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict.
"This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return."
In its annual report, the UN compiles violations of the rights of children, those aged under 18, in some 20 conflict zones around the world.
In its appendix, a "list of shame" calls out those responsible for these violations -- a powerful coalition of Haitian gangs was added this year -- which include child killings and mutilations, recruitment to violence, kidnappings, denial of humanitarian aid and sexual violence.
The Israeli armed forces, which were named last year along with Palestinian militant group Hamas, remain on the list.
There was also a marked increase in the number of child victims of multiple violations to 22,495.
"The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," said Virginia Gamba, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict.
"This must serve as a wake-up call. We are at the point of no return."
In its annual report, the UN compiles violations of the rights of children, those aged under 18, in some 20 conflict zones around the world.
In its appendix, a "list of shame" calls out those responsible for these violations -- a powerful coalition of Haitian gangs was added this year -- which include child killings and mutilations, recruitment to violence, kidnappings, denial of humanitarian aid and sexual violence.
The Israeli armed forces, which were named last year along with Palestinian militant group Hamas, remain on the list.
Palestinian children wait for food at a distribution point in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, on June 11, 2025. © Eyad Baba, AFP
Conflict casualties
The Palestinian territories occupy the top spot in the dismal rankings, with more than 8,500 serious violations, the vast majority attributed to Israeli forces, including more than 4,800 in the Gaza Strip.
This figure includes confirmation of 1,259 Palestinian children killed in Gaza, and the UN notes it is currently verifying information on an additional 4,470 children killed in 2024 in the war-torn territory.
Violence erupted there following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The report also calls out Israel's military operations in Lebanon, where more than 500 children were killed or injured last year.
Following the Palestinian territories, the countries where the UN recorded the most violence against children in 2024 are: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (more than 4,000 grave violations), Somalia (more than 2,500), Nigeria (nearly 2,500), and Haiti (more than 2,200).
"List of shame" inductees include Haitian gang coalition "Viv Ansanm," blamed for a 490 percent increase in violations, including child recruitment, murders and gang rapes.
Another addition to the list is Colombian drug cartel Clan del Golfo, which is accused of child recruitment.
Colombia in general recorded a significant increase in cases of forced recruitment, with 450 children in 2024 compared to 262 the previous year.
Remaining on the list are the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting in Sudan for more than two years.
Also listed again is the Russian army for its actions in Ukraine, where the report records a 105 percent increase in serious violations between 2023 and 2024.
One million Haitian children face 'critical' food shortage, says UN
More than one million children in Haiti are suffering critical food shortages due to violence, displacement and limited aid access, UNICEF said Thursday. Nearly 2.9 million children – one in four – face severe food insecurity, per the global hunger monitoring system IPC.
Issued on: 18/04/2025 -
By FRANCE 24
More than one million children in Haiti are suffering critical food shortages due to violence, displacement and limited aid access, UNICEF said Thursday. Nearly 2.9 million children – one in four – face severe food insecurity, per the global hunger monitoring system IPC.
Issued on: 18/04/2025 -
By FRANCE 24
Residents walk past a burnt car blocking the street as they evacuate the Delmas 22 neighborhood to escape gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on May 2, 2024. © Ramon Espinosa, AP
More than one million children in Haiti are suffering "critical" food shortages as a result of chronic violence, displacement and restricted access to humanitarian aid, the UN children's agency said Thursday.
"We are looking at a scenario where parents can no longer provide care and nutrition to their children as a result of ongoing violence, extreme poverty, and a persistent economic crisis," UNICEF's representative in Haiti, Geeta Narayan, said in a statement.
Across most of Haiti, armed violence is causing a "nutrition crisis for families", the agency said.
Since the start of 2025, "UNICEF and its partners have treated over 4,600 children with severe acute malnutrition" which was "only 3.6 percent of the 129,000 children projected to need life-saving treatment this year", the body added.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) used by international aid bodies, about 2.9 million children "are facing consistently high levels of food insecurity across the country" – or around one in four in Haiti.
More than one million children in Haiti are suffering "critical" food shortages as a result of chronic violence, displacement and restricted access to humanitarian aid, the UN children's agency said Thursday.
"We are looking at a scenario where parents can no longer provide care and nutrition to their children as a result of ongoing violence, extreme poverty, and a persistent economic crisis," UNICEF's representative in Haiti, Geeta Narayan, said in a statement.
Across most of Haiti, armed violence is causing a "nutrition crisis for families", the agency said.
Since the start of 2025, "UNICEF and its partners have treated over 4,600 children with severe acute malnutrition" which was "only 3.6 percent of the 129,000 children projected to need life-saving treatment this year", the body added.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) used by international aid bodies, about 2.9 million children "are facing consistently high levels of food insecurity across the country" – or around one in four in Haiti.
01:49© FRANCE 24
Violence is also increasingly cutting off access to health care, including life-saving treatments, "putting children at greater risk of various forms of malnutrition and preventable disease", UNICEF said.
In Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, less than half of health facilities are in full operation, with two of the three main public hospitals "out of commission".
"Just as needs intensify, the response is increasingly constrained by funding shortfalls", UNICEF highlighted.
Its nutrition scheme is part of a Humanitarian Action for Children appeal that is short of 70 percent of needed funds.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Violence is also increasingly cutting off access to health care, including life-saving treatments, "putting children at greater risk of various forms of malnutrition and preventable disease", UNICEF said.
In Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, less than half of health facilities are in full operation, with two of the three main public hospitals "out of commission".
"Just as needs intensify, the response is increasingly constrained by funding shortfalls", UNICEF highlighted.
Its nutrition scheme is part of a Humanitarian Action for Children appeal that is short of 70 percent of needed funds.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
No comments:
Post a Comment