At least 16% of the children killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion last February were under 5 years of age, the organization reported on Sunday. Save the Children.
The report recalled that between February 24 and August 10, “At least” 942 minors have suffered the impact of the war, with 356 dead and 586 injured in this age groupaccording to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Of that total number of deaths, 16.5% were under 5 years old, while of the total injured, 13% were under 5 years old.
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The UN stressed today Save the Childrenhas also warned that the total number of victims is likely to be much higher, while specifying that the majority of verified deaths and injuries is caused by the use of explosive weapons in highly populated urban areas.
“Although children in Ukraine have nothing to do with the causes of the war, they are the most affected. They are growing up with the sound of bombs and seeing their homes and schools destroyed, while their friends and family are killed or injured. “, said in a statement Sonia Khush, director of Save the Children in Kyiv.
The activist insisted that minors need both “humanitarian aid as hope” so that they trust that “this war will end, that they will be able to return to their homes and that they will have a promising future”.
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“Without meaningful support and an immediate cessation of hostilities, Ukraine will not only become a graveyard for more children, but also for children’s hopes and dreams,” Khush added.
Save the Children In his report, he collects the testimony of Dana, 29, and her daughter Antonia, 2, who fled from the city of Kharkov, eastern Ukraine, to protect themselves from the war in Dnipro, in the south of the country.
“We live from day to day, we cannot do more. But we are clear that we have not come here to stay permanently. Whatever happens, we will return home,” said Dana.
