Review Article
Children in Conflict Zones

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-1237(09)80134-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The nature of war has changed dramatically. Today's conflicts happen where people live and they take a brutal toll on children. Heavy bombardment and destruction in war creates a humanitarian crisis where there is lack of adequate food, clean water and medicine. The consequences of war can have major impact on the health of children for years to come. Traumatic events can have a profound and lasting impact on the emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physiological functioning of an individual. Depending on the circumstances, the psychosocial impacts of disasters can range from mild stress reactions to problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

Section snippets

Gender Based Violence

Among the most severe problems which all children and women face during armed conflicts is a heightened risk of rape, sexual humiliation, prostitution and other forms of gender-based violence. Women of all ages are targets, but adolescent girls are especially vulnerable. While most victims have been girls, young boys are also raped or forced into prostitution - although such cases are generally under-reported.

Legacy of Land-mines

Both during and after conflicts, children remain exposed to the dangers of land-mines. Globally there are an estimated 110 million land-mines lying in wait for their victims [3]. Added to these are millions of pieces of unexploded ordnance - bombs shells and grenades that failed to detonate on impact. Children are particularly exposed because of their natural curiosity to strange objects. Of those maimed children who survive, only few will receive prosthesis that keep up with the continued

Child Health Under Attack

Thousands of children die each year as a direct result of armed violence, but millions more die from the indirect consequences of warfare - as a result of the disruption in food supplies, destruction of health services, water systems and sanitation [4]. In poor countries where children are already vulnerable to malnutrition and disease, the onset of armed conflict can increase death rates by up to 24 times - with the under-five years at particular risk. The indirect effects of war are profound,

Psychological Problems

Children may display a wide range of emotional and physiological reactions following a disaster [7]. Severe trauma during childhood can have a devastating effect on the development of the brain and all functions mediated by this complex organ. Posttraumatic stress responses have been documented in children who have suffered traumatic loss of their parents, siblings and peers [8]. The more severe psychological reactions are associated with variables such as a higher degree of exposure (e.g.,

Street Children

Children born of war are commonly faced with stigma, discrimination, abandonment and infanticide [16]. This makes them vulnerable to trafficking and ending up on the streets. The closure of schools during conflict and war results in children being pushed onto the streets. These children are commonly seen as illegitimate and as “enemy” children. They may be subjected to rejection, abuse or neglect from family members and their communities. These children also suffer from a lack of access to

Remedial Measures

Concern for children is also a way of addressing today's violence. Wars are not going to disappear overnight, but their effects can be mitigated. Vital measures include removing child soldiers from the battlefields and banning the manufacture of weapons such as anti-personnel land mines that target civilians [19]. Beyond defending children, child protection can be used as a means of opening up dialogue. The idea of children as ‘zones of peace’ has already proved its worth with temporary

Conflicts of Interest

None identified

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