More than 52 million children estimated to be out of school, UNICEF says 2024 is one of the toughest years for children in conflict

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has described 2024 as one of the worst years in the organization’s history for children living in conflict zones, with a record number of children whose rights have been violated, including killed, injured, out of school, missing vaccines, and critically malnourished.

Children in conflict-affected areas face rights violations, including being killed, injured, absent from school, missing vaccines and critically malnourished, UNICEF said.

According to UNICEF, the number is only expected to increase.

UNICEF said 473 million children – more than one in six globally – now live in conflict-affected areas.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said: “A child growing up in a conflict zone is far more likely to drop out of school, be malnourished or be forced to leave their home – all too often repeated – compared to a child living in peaceful places. This does not have to be the new normal. We cannot allow a generation of children to become collateral damage to the world’s uncontrolled wars.”

UNICEF reported on the impact of the conflict on children’s education, saying that more than 52 million children are estimated to be out of school.

Children in the Gaza Strip and a significant proportion of children in Sudan have missed more than a year of school, UNICEF said.

Millions of children lack access to learning in countries such as Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria, where schools have been damaged, destroyed or reused, he added.

“The destruction of educational infrastructure and insecurity near schools have exacerbated an already dire situation for the education of children in these regions.”

UNICEF said malnutrition among children in conflict zones had risen to alarming levels due to disruption of food systems, population displacement and obstruction of humanitarian access.

He added that children in those areas do not have access to essential medical care. About 40% of unvaccinated or undervaccinated children live in countries partially or totally affected by conflict.

“The impact on children’s mental health is also huge. Exposure to violence, destruction and loss of loved ones can manifest in children through reactions such as depression, nightmares and difficulty sleeping, aggressive or withdrawn behavior, sadness and fear, among others,” UNICEF said.