Children in the crossfire: Addressing the crisis of child casualties in war

 

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.