In 2024, a record number of 520 million children, or one in five globally, lived in active conflict zones, according to Save the Children. This marks the third consecutive year with a new record, indicating the widespread and ongoing risks children face worldwide.
The situation is particularly severe in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Mali, and Sudan, where the number of people exposed to protection risks has increased.
The impacts are profound, with displacement, family separation, psychosocial trauma, loss of income, and property loss being common experiences among affected households. Children, being among the most vulnerable groups, face critical needs that undermine their survival and development. Exposure to violent events, displacement, and the disruption of essential services place them at a higher risk of long-term consequences, including psychological and social development issues.
