Children are becoming more and more victims of wars that they did not start. Photo credit: Historycollection.com
Children are increasingly becoming victims of war, even
though they are not responsible. Due to fundamental changes in modern warfare,
where battles are increasingly fought within countries and in populated areas, children
are now experiencing anxiety and nightmares and are primary targets of all kinds
of cruelties, including food as a weapon.
Children account for a significant number of deaths in
today's conflicts, up to 90% in some cases, due to indiscriminate bombs,
attacks on cities and villages, and deliberate targeting of communities as part of strategic warfare.
By targeting what is most valuable, a society's future, this
tactic is often intended to intimidate communities and erode support for
opposing forces. In addition to being immediately killed or hurt, children are
frequently severely exploited and mistreated.
Children are recruited as child soldiers, often as young as nine, and used in combat, as human mine detectors, or as decoys, despite
international laws prohibiting such recruitment.
This recruiting is fueled by reasons including economic
despair, lack of food, and protection. Some children join armed groups because
they provide them with food, housing, and a sense of belonging that they do not
have at home.
As a rite of passage into armed groups, children are
sometimes coerced into committing crimes like murdering other children, which
can result in long-term psychological trauma and self-blame.
Children suffer from the indirect effects of war in addition
to direct violence, such as the loss of vital services like clean water,
healthcare, and education, which results in starvation, illness, and death.
With high rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other
mental health conditions brought on by exposure to violence, loss, and
displacement, the psychological toll on children is severe.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are examples of war's
aftereffects that put children in danger for decades after hostilities are
over, leaving many of them permanently disabled.
Accountability is still lacking, and child victims are
sometimes denied justice because they are viewed as untrustworthy witnesses or
because their cases are thought to be too complicated, despite international
efforts, such as the UN's recognition of six serious violations of children's
rights in war.
Saving children affected by war
A thorough, multi-layered approach is necessary to save
children impacted by war. Basic physiological and safety needs, including food, shelter, clean water, and access to healthcare, must be met by immediate
humanitarian help in a safe and culturally relevant manner.
Creating kid-friendly areas provides secure settings where
children can relax, play, learn, and receive psychological support, all of
which contribute to restoring a sense of security and normalcy. These areas are
essential for lessening trauma and promoting mental healing.
Preventing recruiting, releasing child soldiers, and
assisting their reintegration into communities through transitional centers,
foster care, and vocational training with beginning kits are the most important
ways to protect children from military conscription.
Survivors of sexual assault must get specialized medical and
psychological care, including long-term recovery support, mental health
services, and surgery. In isolated or difficult-to-reach locations, mobile
teams can assist in reaching victims.
To ensure that children are securely returned to their
families or placed in protective care when reunion is not feasible,
organizations must emphasize family tracing and reunification.
Protective contexts are strengthened, and families are better
able to deal with trauma when parents and caregivers are supported through
parenting initiatives and community-based programs.
Long-term strategies include funding mental health and
psychosocial support (MHPSS) through community-wide initiatives that foster
resilience among caregivers and communities, as well as direct interventions
like classroom-based therapies and group-based programs like the Early
Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) initiative.
Healing requires a strength-based, trauma-informed strategy
that reestablishes daily routines and cultivates safe relationships. While
holding those who commit crimes against children accountable, international
donors and states must give priority to flexible, timely assistance for
prevention, response, and recovery.
Lastly, safeguarding early childhood development and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience requires bolstering laws and policies, encouraging education, and guaranteeing that all children, especially those under five, have access to safe, high-quality services.
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