Geneva: The United Nations has revealed that 2024 witnessed the highest number of child deaths in armed conflict in the past 30 years, with severe violations occurring across multiple conflict zones. The most affected regions include the Palestinian territories, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Nigeria, and Haiti, according to a statement made at the UN Security Council.

Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, described the situation as "horrific" during a briefing on violence against children caused by war.

“It seems that parties to war and conflict, and we, the international community, are looking to resolve our conflicts through military means, at great cost to our children, rather than forging peace agreements that benefit all children,” Gamba said.

She expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that the suffering of children there defies every human standard. Gamba called on the international community to act, stressing, “We cannot stand by and do nothing to address what is happening to children globally, and in Gaza in particular.”

Gamba also condemned the denial of essential services such as food, healthcare, and protection to children, insisting that there is no justification for depriving them of their means of survival.

She underscored the urgent need for sustainable resources to improve monitoring, verification, and reporting of violations, especially given the increasing challenges on the ground.