Children in war and conflict zones experience unimaginable suffering. They face fear, hunger, and disease daily. Access to education remains out of reach for millions because schools are destroyed or unsafe. Many girls and boys fall victim to violence, recruitment into armed groups, or forced marriages. The effects of war are devastating and leave deep scars on their lives. Thanks to your donation, we offer these children protection and support.
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Children in War - Facts and Figures
Most of the victims are civilians
More than 25 countries around the world are currently engaged in wars or armed conflicts. A war is defined as an armed conflict that is continuous, planned, and centrally organized. At least one of the parties must be part of a government's regular armed forces. If these characteristics are not fully met—for example, if the fighting is not continuous but rather consists of occasional clashes—it is considered an armed conflict.
In today's wars, unlike at the beginning of the 20th century, most victims are civilians, including many children. They are often killed by landmines or so-called small arms , which are also exported to conflict zones by Germany, one of the world's five largest arms exporters. Approximately 250,000 boys and girls under the age of 18 are used as child soldiers in armed conflicts in over 20 countries by state armies or non-state armed groups. In some other countries, such as Germany, minors are recruited as soldiers and receive military training, but are only deployed to combat after reaching the age of majority.
420 million children live in war zones or conflict areas. That's almost twice as many as 20 years ago. They suffer from fear, hunger, and disease. Around 27 million children are unable to attend school due to the armed conflict. Thousands of girls and boys are killed, injured, abducted, recruited into armed groups, sexually abused, or forced into marriage in armed conflicts every year. Hundreds of thousands suffer—and many of them die—from the consequences of war, such as malnutrition, lack of drinking water, and inadequate medical care. Hospitals and schools are attacked, and humanitarian aid organizations are denied access to those in need.
Demands and goals
Terre des Hommes campaigns against the recruitment of child soldiers in various international networks and campaigns and is committed to better protection of children and young people in war and conflict regions.
No child under the age of 18 may be employed in armies, armed groups, or other military organizations – regardless of their role, whether as a fighter, spy, mine surveyor, cook, porter, or for sexual exploitation. This also applies to the German Armed Forces, which is one of the few countries worldwide that has underage soldiers in its ranks.
Stop (German) arms exports
small arms may be exported to crisis regions – particularly where child soldiers are used or other serious violations of children's rights occur. This applies especially to Germany, one of the world's five largest arms exporters.
Children on the move
Following the withdrawal of the reservation in July 2010, the Convention on the Rights of the Child must finally be applied in practice to refugee children in Germany. To achieve this, laws and regulations must be designed in such a way that the living conditions of refugee children actually improve.
Internally displaced persons
The international community must assume responsibility for internally displaced persons and grant them protection. To this end, all states should sign and implement the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Military recruitment
Military recruitment targeting minors must be stopped. This includes the various recruitment activities of the German Armed Forces, for example in schools.
Punishment of those responsible
Those responsible for the recruitment of child soldiers and the displacement of people from their homes—whether governments or individuals—must be publicly named and sanctioned. They must be prosecuted before the International Criminal Court or national courts.
Information material on the topic of children in war
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Ralf Willinger
Speaker children's rights and peace culture
