Children Bear Brunt of Global Conflicts, UN Reports Unprecedented Rise in Violations
Children Bear Brunt of Global Conflicts, UN Reports Unprecedented Rise in Violations
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A new report released by the United Nations warns that children bear the brunt of global conflicts amid an unprecedented rise in violations of their basic rights.
According to the United Nations’ report “Children and Armed Conflict,” children continue to suffer the heaviest toll in global conflicts. In 2024, 8,544 verified cases of grave violations against children were recorded in the occupied Palestinian territories, followed by 4,043 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the disproportionate impact on minors in war zones.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that indiscriminate attacks and violations of ceasefires exacerbate the humanitarian crisis faced by children. The report covers trends from January to December 2024, documenting the effects of armed conflict on minors, including killings, maiming, and recruitment.
Globally, the UN verified 41,370 grave violations against children, 36,221 occurring in 2024, affecting 22,495 children. Patterns of deliberate harm and disregard for protective measures by state and armed groups were noted. Explosive weapons in populated areas, crossfire, and attacks on schools and hospitals were major causes of death and lifelong injuries.
Countries with the highest verified violations included the occupied Palestinian territories, Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, and Haiti. The sharpest percentage increases occurred in Lebanon (+545%), Mozambique (+525%), Haiti (+490%), Ethiopia (+235%), and Ukraine (+105%).
The report also warns that cuts to UN peace operations and global child protection funding have diminished the UN’s capacity to verify and respond to violations, further jeopardizing children’s safety worldwide.
