YUGA: Children in Conflict Zones
What a Day of Peace could bring to millions of children
January 1st not only marks the beginning of the new year, but the World Day of Peace. No matter where we are in the world, we know of violence in our communities. We may find it in our school or on the streets.
We may even experience violence at home. We know that conflicts not only affect governments and the military, but the citizens of each country. Children in particular can be significantly affected, and require special attention to be protected from the effects of war.
A snapshot of children in conflict zones worldwide:
- It is estimated that more than 90% of the Lord's Resistance Army, the rebel group warring in Uganda, was abducted as a child. According to Invisible Children
- In a 'typical' 5-year war, the under-five mortality rate increases by 13%. According to UNICEF
- From 1996 to 2006, an estimated 2 million children were killed in conflicts. An additional 6 million were injured. According to Plan International's Report, Because I Am a Girl: State of the World's Girls 2008
The Effects of Conflict on Children
Although children do not perpetrate war, they are often the most victimized by the violence. Armed conflict can have many affects on children, including:
- Disrupting a child's education: Armed conflict may make it unsafe to travel, or destroy school buildings.
- Preventing children from leading healthy live: Periods of conflict expose children to violence and may destroy hospitals and clinics. Violence has effects on a child's mental and emotional well-being, particularly if children were forced to participate as a spy or child soldier.
- Increasing poverty: Wars often destroy infrastructure, such as buildings and factories, and make it difficult for people to maintain their jobs.
- Making access to food and clean water more difficult: Periods of war can make it unsafe to travel to fetch clean water, particularly for women and girls. Food scarcity is also common. Food scarcity is also common among nations that are experiencing violent conflict.
Where are children experiencing conflict?
Colombia: Colombia evolved as a highly segregated society, where a great divide existed between the traditionally rich families of Spanish descent and the majority of poor Colombians. These groups were politically different as well, and formed military groups that began fighting. Violence was funded by selling illegal drugs - including 90% of America's supply of cocaine.
Over the decades of fighting, some three million people have been internally displaced. The majority have little access to health or educational services, which drastically affects children's development and well-being.
To read about Plan's work in Colombia and the story of a young man named Jose Luis, click here.
Pakistan: Because of the Taliban's presence in northwest districts of Pakistan, at least 3 million people are considered IDPs - internally displaced persons. About seventy percent of IDPs are estimated to be children.
To read about Plan's work in Pakistan, click here.
Haiti: Children under the age of 18 make up almost half of Haiti's population of 10 million people. Many aid agencies, including Plan, recognize the great risk of physical and psychological trauma faced by children.
A new wave of instability and violence resulted from the election results in early December. Violent protests threatened the safety of all Haitians, and continued to prevent children and families from returning to their normal lives.
To read about Plan's work in Haiti, click here.
Take Action
- Support children and families in the United States whose parents are in the military. Although children of parents in the military don't fight in the military, they still make great sacrifices for our country. Show your support by donating prepaid phone cards to military personnel overseas so they can talk to their loved ones at home. Check our organizations such as Soldiers' Angels or Cell Phones for Soldiers, or find an organization in your area that provides this service.
- Learn about girls in the shadow of war. Read the Executive Summary of Plan USA's report, Because I Am a Girl: State of the World's Girls 2008. The focus of the report is 'In The Shadow of War,' and explores the lives of five girls before, during, and after war in their countries.
- Raise Awareness in Your School. Research campaigns against landmines and other forms of violence against children in war zones. Then, create posters to hang in your school and talk to your friends about the dangerous realities of war.
A Disappointing Result from the Child Marriage Bill
Unfortunately, the Child Marriage bill failed in the House of Representatives last week. It came as a bit of a surprise because the bill was supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and had passed unanimously in the Senate. For more information about the Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act and why it failed to pass in the House of Representatives, visit the YUGACentral Blog.
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Facebook Message: An anonymous donor has agreed to match all of the money raised at the MOVE TO STOP AIDS DANCE-A-THON - up to $3000! Get your fundraising on! December 6 at 10:44am
Tweet: US Senate passes the Preventing Child Marriage Act! On to the HR! December 6 at 9:39am
Blog Entry: Landmark Legislation to Prevent Child Marriage is On the Move! On December 1st, the US Senate passed the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act December 6, 2010
YUGA Calendar
January 1 World Day of Peace
January 12 One-Year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti
School Spotlight
Blake Middle School Pilots Walk for Wells
Blake Middle School tested our materials for the Walk for Wells. Full toolkits will be available online soon! If you're interested in being highlighted in a School Spotlight, send your story to yuga@planusa.org.
Additional Resources
What Plan is Doing for Children in Conflict Zones
Interactive maps showing children in conflict zones
UNICEF's Report on Children in Conflict Zones
War Child International
Pick of the Month
Books to Read: A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists by Janet Wilson
Film to Watch: "One Peace At a Time" With the insights of Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Prize), Steve Chu (Nobel Prize in Physics and President Obama's Secretary of Energy) & Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize) Length: 83 minutes
Next Month
February - The President's Take On... February 18th is President's Day, and we want to take a look at foreign policy under President Obama's administration. Find out where the President stands on global issues that are important to you!
