On Human Rights Day, December 10: Terre des Hommes calls for protection and support for children in war and crisis zones.
 

Osnabrück/Berlin, December 9, 2025 – The world is currently facing a multitude of armed conflicts, the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War. Of particular concern is the sharp increase in civilian casualties in recent years; the approximately 520 million children worldwide who are growing up in war zones and crisis areas are especially at risk and vulnerable.

“In 2024, the United Nations recorded a macabre record of almost 40,000 documented cases of serious child rights violations, including killings, mutilations, and abductions,” explains Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . “But in addition to these direct attacks, starving and sick children also suffer from the denial of aid, which many governments have abruptly halted or drastically reduced. The price these children pay is trauma, malnutrition, illness due to insufficient medicine, and lack of education.”

Therefore, Terre des Hommes as a children's rights organization, advocates for the protection and support of children and young people in conflict zones to be given the highest priority. "In recent years, Germany has made a strong commitment to conflict prevention and humanitarian aid, both financially and strategically. However, the German government's decision to restructure the Foreign Office is a step in the wrong direction. A foreign policy focused solely on economic and security interests stands in stark contrast to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. We appeal to the German government to use its political influence to launch a desperately needed international initiative for children in armed conflicts," said Joshua Hofert on Human Rights Day. "The goal of this initiative would be to ensure that children no longer grow up in war and conflict regions where they cannot attend school, are forcibly recruited, forcibly displaced, or even killed. Violations of children's rights must not go unpunished, especially in wars and conflicts."