Kathmandu, January 2
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Afghanistan has the highest number of child deaths since 2005.
Children are dying because of ‘neutrality’ and extreme neglect. UNICEF emphasizes the need to take all necessary measures to protect children.
Afghanistan, for example, has the highest number of certified child casualties of more than
28,500 since 2005, accounting for 27 percent of all certified child casualties worldwide.
The Middle East and North Africa, meanwhile, have seen the highest number of school and
hospital attacks since 2005. In the first six months of last year, 22 such attacks were confirmed, the statement said.
Henrietta Four, Executive Director of UNICEF, said: ”Year after year, the conflicting parties have been grossly neglecting the rights and welfare of children.”
”Children are suffering and children are dying because of this negligence. Every effort should be made to protect these children from harm, ”said Four.
Although UNICEF figures for 2021 are not yet available, the United Nations has identified
26,425 serious human rights violations against children in 2020.
The first three months of 2021 saw a slight decrease in the total number of reported serious violations, but the number of reported cases of abduction and sexual violence increased by 50 and 10 per cent, respectively, in the first four months of the previous year, according to UNICEF.
By Karuna Thapa
