2024: ‘One of the worst years in UNICEF’s history’ for children in conflict'
More children than ever are living in conflict zones, facing violence, displacement, and severe deprivation, marking one of the worst years on record.
2024: ‘One of the Worst Years in UNICEF’s History’ for Children in Conflict
NEW YORK, 28 December 2024 – The year 2024 has seen a devastating escalation in the impact of armed conflict on children worldwide, marking what is likely one of the worst years on record for children living in conflict zones. A recent UNICEF review highlights alarming statistics and trends, with more children than ever before suffering from the brutal effects of violence, displacement, and deprivation.
According to the latest data, over 473 million children – more than one in six globally – are living in areas directly affected by conflict, with the number of children displaced due to violence reaching record levels. Conflicts are responsible for driving 80% of all humanitarian needs globally, severely disrupting access to life-saving essentials such as food, water, and healthcare.
“By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict in UNICEF’s history—both in terms of the number of children affected and the level of impact on their lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “A child growing up in a conflict zone is far more likely to be out of school, malnourished, or forced from their home—too often repeatedly—compared to a child living in places of peace. This must not be the new normal.”
The global scale of the crisis is stark. Almost 19% of the world’s children now live in conflict zones, a sharp increase from 10% in the 1990s. As of 2023, over 47 million children had been displaced due to war, with this number expected to rise due to intensifying conflicts in countries like Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the State of Palestine.
In 2024, UNICEF's data shows a significant increase in violence against children. The United Nations verified a record 32,990 grave violations, including killings, injuries, and recruitment of children by armed groups. The conflict in Gaza and Ukraine has been particularly deadly, with more child casualties recorded in the first nine months of 2024 than during the entire previous year.
Women and girls in conflict zones are especially vulnerable, with reports of widespread sexual violence. In Haiti, for instance, there has been a staggering 1,000% increase in reported incidents of sexual violence against children this year. Children with disabilities also face disproportionate levels of violence and rights violations in these environments.
Education has been severely disrupted, with over 52 million children in conflict-affected countries out of school. In regions such as Gaza and Sudan, children have missed over a year of education, while schools in countries like Ukraine, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been damaged or repurposed for military use. The destruction of educational infrastructure has left millions of children without access to learning and development.
Malnutrition levels have also soared, exacerbated by the ongoing conflicts. In Sudan, famine conditions were declared in North Darfur—the first such declaration since 2017. More than half a million people in five conflict-affected countries are living in extreme food insecurity, with children bearing the brunt of this crisis.
Access to healthcare is another major concern. Forty percent of un- and under-vaccinated children live in conflict zones, leaving them highly vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio. The breakdown of healthcare services and humanitarian access in conflict regions is worsening the health crisis for these children.
The mental health impact of conflict on children is profound. Many children who survive violence, destruction, and the loss of loved ones show signs of severe emotional distress, including depression, nightmares, aggression, and social withdrawal.
2024 has also become the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, with 281 aid workers reported killed globally, surpassing previous records.
“The world is failing these children. As we look towards 2025, we must do more to turn the tide and save and improve the lives of children,” Russell added.
UNICEF is urging all parties involved in conflicts, as well as those with influence over them, to take decisive action to protect children, uphold their rights, and adhere to international humanitarian law.
For more information on UNICEF's ongoing efforts and how you can help, visit [www.unicef.org].
