UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Tad Chaiban said in a statement released Thursday that 3.4 million people have been displaced across the country, more than 40 percent of them children.
At least 650 children have been killed or maimed in violent incidents so far this year. Landmines and explosive remnants of war injured more than a thousand civilians, 32 percent of whom were children.
During a recent visit to areas affected by violent conflict, he witnessed the effects of violence and disasters such as cyclones on children. The storm caused widespread flooding, affecting more than 1 million people.
“I heard from families about their heartbreaking plight – children cut off from essential services, including healthcare and education, and suffering the effects of violence and displacement.”
In February 2021, Myanmar’s military overthrew the democratically elected government and arrested hundreds of officials and political leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Since then the country has been struggling with instability and instability. Armed clashes between the military and separatist and rival groups have increased. There have been large-scale protests in the past and millions of people are suffering humanitarian crises.
Narrow scope of protection
A senior UNICEF official expressed deep grief over the November 15 attack on a church compound in Kachin, in which nine people, including seven children, were killed. Children were playing football there at the time of the attack.
“I visited Kachin and experienced first-hand the deplorable conditions faced by children and other civilians in areas affected by violent conflict.”
Deep concern has been expressed over the excessive use of lethal weapons in civilian areas and the targeting of homes, hospitals and schools. According to the Deputy Executive Director, this is limiting children’s access to safe spaces and depriving them of their right to safety and security.
He stressed that international humanitarian law must be strictly followed to protect civilians from such barbaric attacks.
Support for aid efforts
Tad Chaiban meets with parties involved in violent conflicts and calls on them to allow humanitarian aid to reach children and families trapped in violence-affected areas.
In this sequence, it will be necessary to remove administrative barriers, create an enabling environment for aid operations and provide safe passage for people fleeing violence.
Reaching populations in need is challenging due to insecurity, red tape barriers and lack of telecommunications and personal protective equipment.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF, together with its humanitarian partners, continues to provide life-saving support and services to children and their families. Under this, health, nutrition, education and other assistance are being provided to them, especially to the population trapped in the war fronts and remote areas.
UNICEF appealed to the international community to increase financial support for humanitarian aid efforts, warning that inaction could pay a high price.