On March 18th (local time), Israel’s surprise attack at dawn claimed the lives of more than 400 people, with 174 of them being children. Nearly half of the fatalities were children. Currently, more than 473 million children are living in conflict zones. This means that about 19% of the world’s children population are facing wars they were never meant to face. When conflicts occur, children are the most vulnerable.

Based on reporting by Channel PNU on March 27th, educational facilities where children are primarily concentrated in global conflict zones are increasingly the  targets of military attacks. On March 29th, 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that more than 67% of schools in the Gaza Strip are dysfunctional, and they are currently being used for military operations by Israeli security forces. Experts warn that children in conflict zones who experience extreme stress may suffer from trauma throughout their developmental life cycle.

◼Children Deprived of Rights

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted on November 20th, 1989, guarantees that children can live in situations of non-discrimination, their best interests, rights to survival and development, and respect for children’s views. However, in reality, conflicts like Sudan’s civil war, Russia-Ukraine war, and Gaza Strip war have overtaken daily life, leaving many children excluded from the protections guaranteed by the U.N. Convention.

Children’s right to education is among the first casualties. On January 24th, “Save the Children,” a non-governmental organization that helps children in poverty, reported that 576 educational institutions—including schools, kindergartens, and universities—were destroyed in Ukraine by the war. In Gaza, where over two years of conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces have devastated communities, around 45,000 primary school-aged children have been unable to start school. On September 9th, the European Union emphasized in a statement for the “International Day to Protect Education from Attack” that assaults on schools and education institutions severely harm children’s long-term development and their right to learn.

◼Wounds That Remain /that have lasting effects on them

Ongoing conflict leaves deep scars both on children’s physical health and on their mental well-being. World Vision’s 2022 report “No Peace of Mind” criticized the severe psychological toll of war on children, stating that those living through conflict suffer from extreme stress, anxiety, and depression, not to mention a high risk of long-term mental health issues. The report also revealed that more than 85% of war-affected children go through persistent fear and insecurity.

Experts warn that the aftermath of conflict can trigger serious emotional consequences for children. Kim Seong-Hyeon (Prof. of Early Childhood Education, Pusan National University), explained that children experiencing severe emotional trauma may exhibit dissociation, numbness, or even aggressive behavior. A study reported by The Guardian on December 11th revealed that 96% of children in Gaza felt they were about to die, and nearly half said they wished for death due to trauma.

The negative impacts of war run deep, often reaching areas that are not immediately visible. These effects extend beyond observable behaviors and language, affecting children's ability to adapt socially and even their physical and cognitive development. Kwon Sun-Joo (Prof. of Child Psychotherapy, Hanyang University), noted, “The psychological effects of war evolve over time. Even children who initially seem stable may later experience delayed emotional distress.”

◼Protecting Children in Conflict—Is there a Solution?

Children from vulnerable backgrounds, especially those forcibly displaced, may face even greater obstacles in accessing education. In conflict zones, it is not only difficult to receive education in properly equipped facilities, but also hard to achieve effective learning due to unpredictable/occasional/random attacks. Prof. Kim says that building an education system for children in conflict is essential. He stated, “We need utilization of digital platforms that are not constrained by time and place, establishment of education systems supporting local languages and multilingual support for them to adapt to new environments, support for local teachers and educational infrastructure.”

Currently, many non-governmental organizations are actively working to support children in conflict zones. Domestic news from Save the Children last October 10th, reported a “Children’s Diaries to Stop War” campaign intended to prevent human rights violations of children’s human rights in conflict-stricken areas and to convey their voices to the international community. The campaign involves examining reconstructed exchange diaries based on real cases of war-affected children and writing exchange diaries for them. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is providing warm clothing to help families in the Gaza Strip safely endure the harsh winter, and is improving access to clean water by providing 30,000 liters of drinking water daily to 10,000 people. 

However, such support and help should not be limited to specific institutions or experts. Ordinary people can also create significant change by joining them. For example, donations or campaigns are ways to aid them. Prof. Kwon stated, “Such efforts are not confined to special people,” adding, “If the efforts of ordinary citizens come together, it could be of great help, and it would also be greater that those with professional knowledge or skills to help the public to engage to enlist the help of them.”

Prof. Kim also emphasized that “If individuals and communities take an active role, they can provide more practical help. If communities provide safe spaces and act as watchdogs to prevent abuse or exploitation, they can protect children’s safety and help their recovery.” 

Reporter Seo Yoo-Jung

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung