The impact of armed conflicts on children took an unprecedented toll on children in 2024, with more than 473 million—nearly 19% of the global child population—now living in conflict zones, according to UNICEF. The NGO’s latest data indicate that violations of children’s rights have escalated, making this year one of the most devastating for children caught in conflict.
Children in war zones face a cascade of challenges, including forced displacement, malnutrition, disrupted education, and lack of access to healthcare. By the end of 2023, over 47.2 million children had been displaced due to conflict and violence. This number has grown in 2024, driven by crises in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti, Lebanon, and Myanmar. Children now account for 49% of internally displaced people globally, despite making up just 30% of the world’s population.
Education has been severely disrupted, with over 52 million children in conflict zones not able to attend school. In Gaza and Sudan, many children have missed over a year of schooling, while attacks on schools in Ukraine, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have further decimated educational systems. The loss of learning opportunities threatens to deprive millions of children of a brighter future, according to the agency.
Malnutrition has also reached alarming levels as conflicts disrupt food systems, displace families, and block humanitarian aid. In Sudan, famine conditions were declared in North Darfur—the first such declaration since 2017. Across five conflict-affected countries, over half a million people are experiencing the most extreme levels of food insecurity.
Healthcare access has also suffered significantly. Forty percent of unvaccinated children live in conflict zones, making them vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as measles and polio, that otherwise have largely been eradicated. Many families cannot access basic health services due to violence and displacement, exacerbating already dire conditions for children.
The mental health toll on children in conflict zones is “profound.” Exposure to violence, loss, and destruction manifests as depression, anxiety, and trauma-related behaviors. These invisible wounds can have long-term effects on a child’s well-being and development.
Sexual violence against children has also increased sharply. In Haiti, incidents of sexual violence against children rose by 1,000% in 2024 alone. Vulnerable groups, including girls and children with disabilities, face heightened risks in conflict settings.
According to UNICEF, the number of verified serious human rights violations against children—such as killings, injuries, and recruitment into armed groups—reached a record 32,990 cases in 2023. Preliminary data suggests that the number will be even higher for 2024, as conflicts in regions like Gaza and Ukraine continue to intensify.
The loss of humanitarian aid workers has compounded the crisis. In 2024, 281 aid workers were killed, making it the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel. This loss limits the ability of NGOs to deliver life-saving assistance to children in need.
“By almost every measure, 2024 has been one of the worst years on record for children in conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We cannot allow a generation of children to become collateral damage to the world’s unchecked wars.”
UNICEF is urging all parties to conflicts to adhere to international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of children. As the world approaches 2025, the organization is calling for decisive action to end the suffering of millions of children and ensure their rights are upheld.