The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced the vast majority of Ukrainian children to leave their homes, a regional director at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said at a news conference in New York.
“Nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children are displaced – either within the country or those who have fled across borders as refugees,” said Afshan Khan, regional director for Europe and Central Asia.
“Children forced to leave homes, friends, toys and precious belongings, family and facing uncertainty about the future.”
Afshan said that, according to UN figures, 277 children had been killed and 456 injured over the course of the war, and the fighting had damaged or destroyed one in six UNICEF-backed “safe schools” in the east of the country.
The Ukrainian government cites an even higher number: the attorney general says 313 children were killed and 579 injured.
“As these figures show, the war in Ukraine is a child rights crisis, and Unicef is working to support children and families wherever they are in the country,” added Afshan.
She said attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure “clearly must stop”.
“UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for the protection of all children from harm. With each day that this war continues, the devastating and lasting impact on children in Ukraine, the region and around the world increases.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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