Conflicts & War

5.2 million Ukrainian children need humanitarian assistance

Kyiv, June 1 (EFE).- Three million children in Ukraine and over 2.2 million children in refugee-hosting countries need humanitarian assistance, Unicef said on Wednesday.

The almost 100 days of the war in Ukraine have displaced nearly two out of every three children from Ukraine.

The United Nations Children Fund said the war had wrought “devastating consequences for children at a scale and speed not seen since World War II.”

Based on reports verified by the UN rights office, on average more than two children are killed and more than four injured each day in Ukraine – mostly in attacks using explosive weapons in populated areas.

Civilian infrastructure continues to be damaged or destroyed.

“This so far includes at least 256 health facilities and one in six Unicef-supported ‘Safe Schools’ in the country’s east,” the UN agency said.

The war has killed at least 262 children and wounded 415, as per the count of the UN rights office.

Unicef released its impact assessment of the war on children in Ukraine on the “international day for the protection of children in Ukraine.”

“Instead of celebrating the occasion, we are solemnly approaching June 3 – the 100th day of a war that has shattered the lives of millions of children,” Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell.

“Without an urgent ceasefire and negotiated peace, children will continue to suffer – and fallout from the war will impact vulnerable children around the world.”

The agency warned that the war had caused an acute child protection crisis.

“Children fleeing violence are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking,” a Unicef statement said.

The agency said the children urgently needed safety, stability, child protection services, and psychosocial support — especially the unaccompanied or separated from their families. “More than anything, they need peace.” EFE

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