UNICEF: “200,000 Children Forced to Learn in Militarized Conditions”

 

The United Nations International Children’s Relief Fund has released a report on the dire conditions faced by children in the Donbas conflict zone. Over 200,000 young boys and girls are forced to learn in a militarized environment.

They go to school every day passing military bases, checkpoints and ammo depots. Hundreds of schools were damaged and six schools were converted for military use this year alone.

This means that they live and go to school in close proximity to military bases, checkpoints, and supply depots. Some 700 schools have been damaged since the war began. And six former schools have been converted for military purposes just this academic year. Also this year, UNICEF has appealed for $23.6 million USD to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to children and families affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, less than 15 percent of this appeal has been met.