36 lakh Iraqi children at risk, due to surge in violence: Unicef

As one in five of the country's children are at risk of death or wartime exploitation

The grievous rise of conflict in West Asian country -- Iraq has left 36 lakh children, which is one in five of the country’s children at risk of death, injury, sexual violence or abduction, according to a recent report by United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef).

In a report titled A Heavy Price for Children, the UN children's agency said that the number of children in Iraq were at serious risk of death or wartime exploitation had increased by 13 lakh in the past 18 months. 

The report said that 47 lakh Iraqi children --- a third of all, need humanitarian aid, with deteriorating conditions following the fierce military operations in Fallujah and around Mosul. As the scale and complexity of the humanitarian crisis in the country, reeling from nearly four decades of conflict, insecurity and neglect, where the impact on children worsens every day.  

The report quoted the Unicef Iraq Representative, Peter Hawkins as saying: "Children in Iraq are in the firing line and are being repeatedly and relentlessly targeted. We appeal to all parties for restraint and to respect and protect children. We must help give children the support they need to recover from the horrors of war and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous Iraq."

Abduction

The report said that a total of 1,496 children have been abducted from the streets or their homes, since 2014. That translates to 50 children abducted each month, with many forced into fighting or sexually abused.

“The kidnapping of children from their homes, their schools and from the streets is horrifying.These children are being ripped from their families and are subjected to sickening abuses and exploitation,” Hawkins said.

Home and Education

The report also said that almost 10% of Iraqi children, which is more than 15 lakh have been forced to flee their homes because of violence since, the beginning of 2014, often multiple times. Nearly, one in five schools is out of use due to conflict and almost 35 lakh children of school-age are missing out on an education.

Meanwhile, the UN agency is calling for urgent action to protect children’s rights in Iraq. By suggesting five concrete steps that need to be taken immediately:

1. End the killing, maiming, abduction, torture, detention, sexual violence and recruitment of children. Stop attacks on schools, medical facilities and personnel.

2. Provide unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access to all children wherever they are in the country, including areas not under control of the government. In areas with ongoing conflict, civilians wishing to leave must be given safe passage and receive the services they need.

3. Expand and improve education for out of school children through catch up classes. Increase access to learning and equip teachers and children with educational materials and training.These are the children who will rebuild Iraq and contribute to a more peaceful and stable future.

4. Provide psychological and recreation programmes to help children heal and to reconnect with their childhoods.

5. Increase funding, as resources are running short, already leading to cut backs in life-saving support for children. The UN agency is seeking $100 million for its response in Iraq for 2016.