The massacre of the innocents

There are millions of children who are victims of war





Increasingly, children become the target of armed conflict, almost half of the people killed in war during the 90s are children.
Many millions more children have been seriously injured or have been rendered permanently disabled; have endured sexual violence, psychological trauma, hunger and disease. About 20 million children were torn from their homes and communities of origin because of the war.

The girls are the most vulnerable in fact, sexual violence is often used deliberately as a weapon of war. Landmines are responsible for 15,000-20,000 deaths a year, and about one fifth of them are children. Children are particularly at risk of being injured or killed by landmines, because of their small size, the unusual shape and colors make them look like toys.

It is estimated that in the world are at least 300,000 children under the age of 18 currently engaged in hostilities. The majority of child soldiers are between 15 and 18 years. Many, however, are recruited at age 10 or even earlier.

A research conducted by the Office of the Quakers to the UN in Geneva and Rädda Barnen Agency (Swedish Save the Children) states that there are more than 300 000 children under 18 years actively involved in armed conflicts around the world. In addition, although not constantly engaged in armed conflict, hundreds of thousands more are enrolled in the armies of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.