Statistics of children living in conflict areas
According to a report by Peace Research Institute Oslo , Children are particularly vulnerable in times of conflict and crisis. In 2022, more than two thirds of the world’s children were living in a conflict-ridden country. More than one in six were living less than 50 km away from where the actual fighting took place, a 2.8% increase from the year before. In Africa, 152 million African children – one in four – live in a conflict zone, with 5 million African children killed by conflict-related disease or hunger in the last 20 years.
War in Sudan
On the 15 April, 2023, conflict erupted in Sudan capital, Khartoum. With the conflict marking an year since it started, Thousands including children have died in the fighting, or related atrocities, and millions are desperately hungry due to the continuing climate crisis in the country. According to a report by Save the Children, close to 19 million children have been forced to drop out of school due to the ongoing conflict. The fear is that more children will continue being affected if the situation is not addressed.
Statement by Prof. Afaf Alfadhl on the Sudan Situation to the ICC
On April 30, 2024, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) reached out to Eastern Africa Child Rights Network Board Vice Chai, Prof. Afaf Alfadhl, who is also the founder and general secretary of the Child Rights Forum Network, to submit her views on the ongoing conflict in her country in preparation for a report on Slavery Crimes Policy by the International Criminal Court. In her submission to ICC, Prof. Afaf Alfadhl notes;
❖Shortage of food for children in care home
❖Displacement and migration children and their families from their homes
❖Many children have been abducted
❖The educational process has been affected and schools have been disrupted
❖Some schools have been turned into military barracks
❖Death of children due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan
❖Continuous recruitment of child soldiers.
❖Increase in sexual violence in the country.
Download the full statement below:
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