Statement by Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine.
“Two children have reportedly been killed and at least 15 children reportedly injured in a wave of deadly attacks across several areas in Ukraine.
Over the last six days, children and families, and the infrastructure they rely on have come under attack in Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and other populated areas. With children killed and injured, and schools and health facilities destroyed and damaged, Ukraine’s youngest citizens continue to bear the brunt of these attacks. Our heartfelt thoughts are with all those affected.
At least eight schools and 10 health care facilities, including a maternity hospital, were reportedly damaged in the past week. Homes have been destroyed, and millions of children have started the new year under the sounds of sirens and bombardment, stoking a familiar fear.
The cumulative impact of reported casualties, damage to infrastructure, and relentless attacks has turned what should be a season of joy into one marred by dread, fear and sorrow.
Children across Ukraine have been forced to take refuge in basements, bomb shelters and metro stations, often in the freezing cold early morning hours. For children whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, and those whose access to electricity, heating and water has been cut off, the situation is particularly dire as they endure harsh temperatures often reaching as low as -20°C.
Nearly 1,800 children have been killed or injured since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, according to UN-verified reports. The true number is likely far higher.
In February, children in Ukraine will have endured two years of full-scale war. Millions of children have been robbed of their childhoods. Millions have lost their family members, friends, homes, schools and communities. And they continue to face risks to their safety and well-being as attacks and fighting continue, especially for children living in areas close to the frontline.
Killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and health care facilities are grave violations of children’s rights and they must stop. The laws of war must be abided by. Children and the civilian infrastructure they rely on must be protected. All necessary measures to protect them must be taken. Attacks on children and civilian areas must stop.
Above all else, children need peace. Children need the chance to be children.”
