Children without parental care or who have been separated from their families amid the chaos are in even greater danger. They risk abduction, sexual violence and recruitment by armed groups, which UNICEF says is on the rise.  The trauma of war threatens their well-being, and access to essential services—including food, healthcare, education, and psychological support—has been severely disrupted.  

We urgently call on all parties of the conflict to prioritize and protect the lives of children, immediately cease hostilities and adhere to international human rights and humanitarian law. The protection of children and civilians must be prioritized in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. All children should be protected from any and all six grave violations of war against children - killing and maiming, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, sexual violence, abduction, attacks against schools or hospitals and denial of humanitarian access for children.