Violence against children in areas with armed conflict has reached unprecedented levels, with children bearing the brunt of violent clashes, indiscriminate attacks, disregard for ceasefires and peace agreements, and deepening humanitarian crisis, according to a new report from the United Nations.

"As wars across the world escalate, from Ukraine and Yemen, to Gaza, Israel and Iran, it is always children who suffer the most and are uniquely vulnerable to abuse," says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund.

According to the United Nation’s annual report into Children and Armed Conflict, last year:

• 22,495 children were illegally recruited into armed groups, killed, maimed, raped or victims of other forms of sexual violence, and abduction in conflict zones
• 4,676 children were killed, and 7,291 maimed, affecting a staggering 11,967 children
• 41,370 were victims of grave violations, including attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access
• Grave violations against children increased by 545% in Lebanon, 525% in Mozambique and 490% in Haiti
• 3,018 children were jailed for association with parties to conflict.

"In too many examples, perpetrators targeted attacks on children, used explosive weapons in populated areas, and systematically exploited children in hostilities for military and sexual purposes."

"There is still a blatant disregard for international law at the moment, where ‘might is right’, and humanitarian access in war is denied. Children are the silent victims when the law is ignored," says Josie Pagani.

Charities like ChildFund are on the ground, doing what they can to protect children in war zones.

"Through our partners in Gaza, we are distributing water, hygiene kits, and doing everything possible to keep on top of the rapid increase of illnesses spreading through communities and in the camps for displaced people."

In Gaza, 92% of homes, 88% of schools, 68% of cropland, and 68% of road networks have been destroyed, while only 50% of hospitals are functioning - most of them only partially.

In Ukraine, ChildFund partners have reached nearly 3000 people, including 1,797 children and teenagers with food and water, and provided safe spaces for children to keep learning during the war, and to get the psychosocial support they need.

"We must keep calling out those on all sides of a conflict who disregard international law, or recruit children as combatants in wars, target citizens illegally, or ride roughshod over the Convention of the Rights of the Child. These legal principles are there precisely to protect the most vulnerable people in the most violent situations."

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