Innocence at Risk: Child Safety in Conflict

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Farhan Hasin Islam, a 3rd year student at Bangladesh Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Conflict, in today’s world, is an unfortunate and recurrent phenomenon that arises from a disagreement about ideas, beliefs, or even morality. It is an omnipresent adversity, a pervasive force that reverberates through societies, leaving an undeniable and prolonged impact on individuals and communities alike. However, its effects are more severe and unsettling for children, for whom, other than the visible scars, conflict inflicts emotional trauma that disrupts the core foundation of a child’s development, severely jeopardizing their overall mental well-being and sanity.

In the Ukraine-Russia War, we have seen a vast disparity in the resources between military fund allocation and funding for child trauma and healthcare centers. Along with the havoc of war, indiscriminate bombing places an excessive burden on vital children’s health facilities. The shutting down of schools to use the campuses as military bases and recruiting grounds, is inflicting long-term damage to the education and mental development of children. This causes detachment from peers and from like-minded people, resulting in a lackluster ability to communicate. This, in turn, shows how war, by investing in military facilities and resources, is directly affecting the long-lasting health and education of an entire generation. The youth of Ukraine today stands as proof that they are the silent casualties neglected from aid in times of crisis due to an ongoing conflict.

Humanitarian aid, which is a beacon of hope in times of crisis, aims to reduce the suffering of those affected by disasters and crises worldwide. But there are some documented cases where well-intentioned aid, like food or medication, was seized by warring factions. A very well-known example of this is the ‘Yemen Food Crisis’. Due to the crisis of resources, children are forced to join these armed forces by abduction, threat, or manipulation. Others are driven by poverty or as a means of income generation for their families. These children later become victims of extreme forms of abuse, which leads to long-term mental and physical complications. According to Unicef, between 2005 and 2022, around 105,000 children were recruited and used by parties in conflict. The chaos of war, fear of death, and poverty all make children extremely vulnerable to displacement, family separation, and child trafficking. Thus, sometimes humanitarian aid may unintentionally contribute to the cycle of child victimization. This raises another huge question mark regarding the presence of child safety and healthcare during conflict.

Disregard for International Humanitarian law is directly contributing to the lack of safety and healthcare for children even today. The ongoing conflict in Palestine reflects such a heartbreaking reality. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll in Gaza has crossed 22,000, where two-thirds of the tally represents children and women. 

Child safety and healthcare during conflict are serious problems. It is our responsibility to safeguard their innocent smiles. Only through stronger international condemnation, increased funding, and collaboration in law enforcement efforts can we help and ensure the betterment of child safety and healthcare around the world in times of conflict. 

About the author

Farhan Hasin Islam is a 3rd year student at Bangladesh Medical College, Dhaka. He’s currently serving on the Local Committee of SCORP in BMSS Bangladesh. He is a passionate and dedicated medical student with a profound commitment to advocating for human rights and peace.Fueled by the belief that meaningful change begins with personal growth, Farhan is on a mission to not only transform himself but also contribute to a positive transformation of the global healthcare system.