In 2023, global conflicts resulted in a significant rise in civilian casualties, with child deaths tripling and women fatalities doubling compared to the previous year, according to the United Nations.
Overall civilian deaths increased by 72 percent, as reported by UN human rights chief Volker Turk during a Human Rights Council session in Geneva.
Turk criticized warring parties for violating legal and moral boundaries, emphasizing the rampant disregard for human rights, highlighting the daily occurrences of civilian killings, infrastructure destruction, and the targeting of vulnerable populations.
The UN data revealed an alarming rise in civilian deaths, with children and women disproportionately affected. The Gaza Strip was notably impacted, with over 120,000 casualties, mainly women and children, following intensified Israeli offensives since October 7. Additionally, almost one million Palestinians have been displaced amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Turk also drew attention to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and the year-long civil war in Sudan, where the country is being devastated by internal fighting.
This surge in human suffering coincides with a severe shortfall in humanitarian funding. By the end of May 2024, the funding gap stood at $40.8 billion, with only 16.1 percent of appeals funded.
In contrast, global military expenditure reached nearly $2.5 trillion in 2023, marking a 6.8 percent increase from the previous year and the highest year-on-year rise since 2009.
Turk underscored the immense human and financial costs of war, calling for greater attention to the humanitarian needs of affected populations.
