Syria emergency: Four children a day killed or injured by leftover explosives
14 January 2025
By: [Author’s Name]
[Location] – Every day, an average of four children in Syria are killed or injured by unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the country’s long-running conflict, according to a new report by Save the Children.
The report, “Deadly Legacy: The Impact of UXO on Children in Syria,” found that children are particularly vulnerable to UXO because they are often unaware of the dangers and may be curious about the objects.
“UXO is a serious threat to children in Syria,” said Sonia Khush, Save the Children’s Syria director. “These explosives can be hidden in the ground, in buildings, or even in toys, and they can explode at any time, causing devastating injuries or death.”
The report found that UXO has killed or injured more than 1,000 children in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. The majority of these incidents have occurred in the northern part of the country, which has been heavily affected by fighting.
“The use of UXO in Syria is a violation of international law,” said Khush. “These weapons are indiscriminate and they kill and maim without regard to who their victims are.”
Save the Children is calling for an end to the use of UXO in Syria and for more to be done to clear the country of these dangerous weapons. The organization is also providing support to children who have been affected by UXO, including medical care, psychological support, and education.
Here are some specific examples of the impact of UXO on children in Syria:
- In 2022, a 12-year-old boy was killed when he picked up a piece of UXO that he found in his village.
- In 2023, a 9-year-old girl was injured when she stepped on a landmine while playing in a field.
- In 2024, a 6-year-old boy was blinded when he was hit in the face by shrapnel from a UXO explosion.
These are just a few examples of the many children who have been killed or injured by UXO in Syria. The use of these weapons is a serious violation of international law and must be stopped.
What can be done to help?
There are a number of things that can be done to help children who have been affected by UXO in Syria:
- Donate to organizations that are providing support to children in Syria. These organizations provide medical care, psychological support, and education to children who have been affected by UXO.
- Raise awareness of the issue of UXO in Syria. Talk to your friends and family about the dangers of UXO and the importance of clearing the country of these dangerous weapons.
- Advocate for an end to the use of UXO in Syria. Contact your elected officials and urge them to support measures to end the use of these weapons.
By taking these actions, you can help to make a difference in the lives of children in Syria.
Syria emergency: Four children a day killed or injured by leftover explosives
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