50 million minors displaced by conflict, the highest number ‘in history’

Then go Save the children has reported that the number children displaced by conflict in 2023 that will be more than 50 million (out of 143 million displaced people), a figure that has doubled since 2010 and is already happening the highest “in history”and which mainly affect Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Afghanistan, Burma, Ukraine, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Gaza Strip, Turkey and Syria (the latter two because of the earthquakes), considered to be the ten biggest crises of last year.

“Around the world, one in 73 people live away from home due to the consequences forced displacementwhether due to conflict or climate-related disasters (…) Multiple displacements, with the same child forced to leave home again and again, are unfortunately the norm for many in places like Gaza, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the United States. Congo,” said Gabriella Waaijman, Global Humanitarian Director of Save the Children.

When minors lose access to the most basic services and encounter economic difficulties, they run the risk of ‘devoting themselves to dangerous activities, such as delinquencyHe child laborthe sexual exploitation or incorporation into armed groups“.

“While the statistics are overwhelming, a displaced child is not just a number. He or she is a child who has most likely witnessed the kind of violence or destruction that no one should ever see before having to leave everything they know behind. Boys and girls are losing their homes, they are losing almost everything: their access to healthcare, education, food and safety,” he added.

Despite this, the NGO has stated that children are “invisible” in the displacement data, something that makes it difficult to “understand their needs” and identify “appropriate political and programmatic” responses.