According to a UNICEF report in 2016, it is estimated that 535 million children (a quarter of the global child population) are living in countries affected by conflicts or natural disasters. Half of the world’s 25.4 million refugees are children under the age of 18, who are more likely to be exposed to exploitation and violence as conflict continues.
Wars and conflicts have driven children out of their homes. With their families’ livelihoods destroyed, children may starve, drop out of school or even become orphans. Events such as witnessing the demise of their loved ones or the destruction of their homes leave indelible scars in children’s hearts, causing depression and psychological trauma.