Children Affected by War and Conflict
Children are among the most vulnerable people in any war or armed conflict. They may be separated from their families, forced from their homes, exposed to violence or left without access to education, health care and other essential services.
More than 520 million children are living in or fleeing conflict-affected areas around the world. Last year, the number of people displaced by conflict globally reached an all-time high of 32.3 million, impacting an estimated 13 million children. In 2025, the United Nations recorded the highest number of grave violations against children ever documented.
The effects of war and conflict can continue long after the fighting ends, disrupting children's safety, education, health and emotional well-being. Learn more about how war affects children, where children are facing conflict today and how Save the Children is helping children and families survive and recover.
520+ M
Children living in or fleeing conflict
24,000+
Children subjected to grave violations
35K/ day
Children displaced by conflict
Where Are Children Most Affected by Conflict?
Children are experiencing the effects of conflict in dozens of countries around the world. According to the United Nations, the highest number of verified grave violations against children in 2025 were recorded in:
• Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Nigeria
• Myanmar
• Somalia
These contexts are characterized by high-intensity conflict, widespread use of explosive weapons and prolonged instability, often in densely populated settings.
What Are the Grave Violations Against Children?
The United Nations identifies six grave violations against children, each of which illustrate the devastating ways armed conflict can affect children. These violations are monitored globally because they represent the most serious abuses children face in war.
Killing and Maiming
Children are killed, injured or permanently disabled as a result of armed conflict.
Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers
Children may be forced or coerced into joining armed forces or armed groups.
Sexual Violence
Children may experience rape and other forms of sexual violence during conflict.
Abduction
Children can be kidnapped and separated from their families and communities.
Denial of Humanitarian Access
Children may be prevented from accessing life-saving food, water, medicine and aid.
Attacks on Schools and Hospitals
Conflict often damages or destroys the places children rely on for education and healthcare.
Today, the nature of conflict – and its impact on children – is evolving. The world is witnessing deliberate campaigns of violence against civilians, including the targeting of schools, the abduction and enslavement of children, and deliberate starvation.
In today’s armed conflicts, there is often no longer a clearly demarcated battlefield: children’s homes and schools are the battlefield.
The nature of conflict has changed, putting children in the frontline in new and terrible ways. Wars are lasting longer. They are more likely to be fought in urban areas amongst civilian populations leading to deaths and life-changing injuries, and laying waste to the infrastructure needed to guarantee access to food and water. Attacks on schools and hospitals are up.
Children are disproportionately suffering the consequences of these brutal trends.
- We are seeing more children facing unimaginable mental and physical trauma.
- More children are going hungry.
- More children are falling victim to preventable diseases.
- More children are out of school.
- More children are at risk of recruitment by armed groups.
- More children are trapped on the frontline without access to humanitarian aid.
How Your Support Help Children in Conflict Zones
Protection from Harm
We help identify and support vulnerable children, provide child protection services and work to reduce risks of abuse, exploitation and violence.
Child-Friendly Spaces
Child-friendly spaces provide safe places for children to play, learn and receive emotional support during emergencies.
Educational Resources
We help children continue learning through temporary learning spaces, educational materials and support for teachers and caregivers.
Access to Healthcare
We provide health services, nutrition support and essential supplies to help children survive and recover during crises.
Family Reunification
We work to reunite separated children with parents and caregivers whenever possible and strengthen family-based care.
Advocacy
The scale of harm demands urgent, coordinated action. Save the Children is calling on governments and the international community to act now and take concrete diplomatic, political and legal measures against those responsible for crimes against children.
FAQs
What happens to children during war and conflict?
War and armed conflict can disrupt nearly every part of a child's life. Children may be forced from their homes, separated from loved ones, exposed to violence and explosive weapons, or lose access to education, health care, food and other essential services. The effects of conflict can continue long after the fighting ends.
How does war affect children's education?
Conflict can prevent children from safely attending school and disrupt their access to learning. Schools may be damaged or destroyed, while displacement and other emergencies can force children to stop learning altogether. Save the Children provides uninterrupted learning opportunities, educational materials and support to help children continue learning safely during crises.
How does conflict affect children's health and well-being?
Children affected by conflict may lose access to health care, nutritious food, clean water and other essential services. They can also experience significant mental and emotional distress. Save the Children provides health and nutrition support, mental health and psychosocial support, and other services to help children survive and recover during humanitarian crises.
How does Save the Children help children affected by war?
Save the Children works to protect children and meet their immediate needs during emergencies. Depending on the crisis, our teams provide health care, nutrition support, education, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, food, clean water, shelter and cash assistance. We also work with local communities and partners to help families recover and build resilience.
How does Save the Children protect children during conflict?
We work to keep children safe from violence, abuse and exploitation while helping them access essential services. This can include child-friendly spaces where children can feel safe and play, mental health and psychosocial support, connecting children with social workers, and working with caregivers and community leaders to strengthen child protection.
How does Save the Children help families who have been forced to flee?
When conflict forces families from their homes, Save the Children can provide emergency assistance such as cash support, food, water, shelter, hygiene supplies, health care, education and child protection services. Cash assistance can help families meet critical needs while giving them the dignity and flexibility to decide what their households need most.