Ukraine: Millions of children at direct risk

Two days have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, escalating hostilities in Ukraine pose an immediate threat to the lives and well-being of 7.5 million children, according to a UNICEF report.

The firing of heavy weapons in residential areas in recent days has damaged important water infrastructure and educational facilities. Tens of thousands of families will be displaced and the need for urgent humanitarian assistance will increase dramatically.

Assistance includes the delivery of safe food and water to conflict areas, emergency medical and educational facilities as far as possible to areas on the front lines of the conflict, and coordination with municipalities to ensure immediate assistance to children and families in need can help facilitate this process.

 In a statement, UNICEF called on all parties to honor their international obligations to protect children from harm and to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be reached safely and quickly to children in need.

 It also called on the parties involved to refrain from attacking the basic infrastructure on which children depend - including water systems, sanitation facilities and schools.

The conflicts of the past eight years have caused deep and lasting damage to children on both sides. Ukrainian children are in dire need of peace now.

 

_{Source and Credit: UNICEF}