Mosul's children being abused, exploited and abandoned, UNICEF says

The UN's children's fund has called for the immediate care and protection of traumatised children in war-torn Mosul, many of whom have lost family or been forced to fight.

Society

2 min read

The New Arab

23 July, 2017

Children reportedly continue to be found among debris or hidden in tunnels [Getty]

Children in war-torn Mosul continue to be found under debris or hidden in tunnels, the UN's children's fund has said, calling for their "immediate care and protection".

The worst of the violence in Mosul may be over but for too many children in Mosul and in the region, "extreme suffering continues," said, Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

In recently-liberated Mosul, he said that children in shock continue to be found, some reportedly among the debris or hidden in tunnels. Some have lost their families while fleeing to safety. According to reports, families have been forced to abandon their children or give them away – they are now living in fear and alone.

"Many children have been forced to fight and some to carry out acts of extreme violence," he said, emphasising that "these are horrific times for far too many children in Iraq and other conflict-affected countries in the region."

UNICEF says that violence and conflicts are putting the lives and futures of nearly 27 million children at risk, impacted by war in Yemen and Syria and violence in refugee hosting countries, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Libya and Sudan, as well as Iraq.

"In the north-eastern city of Raqqa in Syria, violence has further intensified over the past weeks, with children repeatedly coming under attack. Between 30,000 and 50,000 civilians continue to be trapped in the city as heavy violence continues around them," Cappelaere said.

Moreover, families have described horrific conditions and journeys fraught with danger, sniper fire, landmines and unexploded remnants of war, he added.

Such horrors are not over even if children escape from immediate danger. They are being detained, abused and stigmatised for perceived affiliations, while tensions are high between and within communities, said Cappelaere.

"Those children who are alone need our support to help them find their families, be reunited and surrounded with care, protection and services, regardless of their family's origin or affiliation," he added.

"As with any other child in the world, they have the right to be safeguarded, including through legal documentation."