UNICEF: Ukraine’s children are stuck in a nightmare that must end

In her speech before the Council on Wednesday, an organizing official said UNICEF The United Nations has documented at least 2,406 deaths and injuries among children since the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It said: “Behind every statistic is a child with a name, a life story and loved ones, whose hopes and dreams were dashed. These are only statistics verified by the United Nations – and we know the actual number is much higher.”

More than a thousand days of war

More than a thousand days into the war in Ukraine, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that nearly 3.6 million people remain displaced inside Ukraine, and more than twice that number have become refugees. She said that many families and children were forced to live underground due to the constant threat of attacks, and added: “Children spend up to six hours every day sheltering in basements and other dark, damp spaces amid loud air raid sirens, fearing for their lives.”

In addition, nearly 1,500 educational institutions and more than 660 health facilities were damaged or destroyed. With the arrival of winter, children lack basics such as heating, clean water and sanitation due to attacks on energy infrastructure and power outages.

Ms Russell said the impact of war was taking a huge toll on children’s mental health “And deprives them of their childhood.” Stressing that more and more children will suffer with each passing day of war.

She told the Security Council that UNICEF and its partners are working tirelessly to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of children and families in Ukraine, including access to safe water, education and psychosocial support, but stressed the need to do more to address their situation.

Children’s interests are a priority

The Executive Director called on all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law and human rights law and to end grave violations against children. She said they must also refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas, as well as landmines and cluster munitions, which are indiscriminate in nature and have a disproportionate impact on children.

She said: “Eastern Ukraine was already one of the most mine-contaminated areas in the world even before the recent escalation – a reality that has now extended to other parts of the country.”

Ms. Russell also highlighted the plight of children separated from their families, urging parties to prioritize family tracing and reunification, and to refrain from taking any action. “It would change the child’s nationality or make reunification more difficult.”

She said: “All parties and all stakeholders must focus on solutions that are in the best interests of the individual child. UNICEF continues to provide its support for the return and reintegration of all children in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

The UNICEF Executive Director also stressed the need for the United Nations and its partners to have safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to all children and families in Ukraine who need assistance or protection services, including in areas not under government control.