United Nations Office for Children and Armed Conflict

10/16/2026

In , the resumption of hostilities threatens to reverse hard-won gains for children and exposes yet another generation to fear, displacement and harm.

Increasing reports of children being recruited and used are extremely troubling, risking further exposing children to irreparable harm.

Full statement: https://bit.ly/3TKvnUm

10/14/2026

Behind every verified grave violation in the latest Secretary-General's Annual Report on children and armed conflict is a child subjected to unimaginable violence.

These are not isolated incidents. They are a stark reminder of the failure to protect children from the horrors of war.

The message is clear: children are paying the highest price for conflicts they did not create.

The international community must act with urgency, accountability, and resolve.

10/12/2026

"In my recent travels to conflict-affected areas, conflict after conflict, children are treated as if their lives can be sacrificed in pursuit of military advantage, political dominance, or financial gain. This is unacceptable."

Read the Report of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Vanessa Frazier, to the UN General Assembly: https://bit.ly/4B1GN6D

10/10/2026

Children are being affected by the escalating violence in Ethiopia, with reports of children being killed and maimed, as well as allegations of their recruitment and use. We urge all parties to de-escalate, protect civilians, do their utmost to spare children from harm, and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

10/09/2026

We congratulate Navi Pillay on the 2026 , recognising her contribution to human rights & international law amid growing disregard for both. May this recognition bring hope to children affected by conflict & renew our commitment to protecting their rights & future.

“Navi Pillay has shown that the force of law must prevail over the law of force.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulates Navi Pillay on winning this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

“Today’s prize is a tribute to all those working to uphold and defend international law, the rule of law and human rights, and secure peace, justice and human dignity.”

10/09/2026

For children living through conflict, the damage goes far beyond what is visible. Homes can be rebuilt, and wounds can heal, but the psychological impact can last a lifetime.

An explosion may last seconds, yet recovery can take years and requires sustained care and support.

Thousands of children affected by grave violations are forced into survival mode. But survival is not enough.

Children need protection, healing, and access to sustained and adequately funded mental health and psychosocial support.

Today, we stand in solidarity with children living with mental health impacts of armed conflict. Their recovery must be at the heart of our commitment to protect them.

10/08/2026

[ES/EN]

En este video, la Primera Dama de Guatemala, Dra. Lucrecia Peinado, comparte un poderoso llamado a escuchar las voces de la niñez y actuar para proteger sus derechos.

"Las niñas y los niños continúan haciéndonos un llamado. Nos envían mensajes como este que llegan a nuestras manos simbólicamente convertidos en un ave de papel, recordándonos que su lugar no está en contextos de violencia ni de conflictos armados. Reconocemos la labor de las Naciones Unidas y de la campaña Prove It Matters, que durante más de 30 años ha mantenido la protección de los derechos de la niñez en el centro de la agenda internacional. En Guatemala asumimos este llamado con responsabilidad, porque ya es tiempo de escuchar sus voces. Escuchémoslos de verdad y respondamos ya con acciones concretas."

***

In this video, the First Lady of Guatemala, Dr. Lucrecia Peinado, calls on us to listen to children's voices and turn our commitments into action.

"The children continue to call upon us. We receive messages like this one, which reach us symbolically transformed into a paper bird, reminding us that their place is not in situations of violence or armed conflict. We recognize the work of the United Nations and the Prove It Matters campaign, which for more than 30 years has kept the protection of children's rights at the centre of the international agenda. In Guatemala, we embrace this call with responsibility, because it is time to listen to their voices. Let us truly listen to them and respond now with concrete actions."

10/07/2026

Children affected by armed conflict face heightened risks of recruitment and use, abduction, sexual violence and other grave violations. Trafficking can further expose children to exploitation, abuse and other forms of harm.

Drawing on the OSRSG-CAAC publication “Child Trafficking and Armed Conflict” published in 2023, the United Nations Office for Children and Armed Conflict, through its Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha, participated in a regional training on the investigation and judicial follow-up of human trafficking crimes, organized by the Public Prosecution of the State of Qatar and the UN Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and Arab Region.

The session focused on trafficking of children in the context of armed conflict, including its links to the six grave violations against children, and highlighted the importance of identifying and protecting child victims, strengthening referral mechanisms and enhancing judicial responses.

The training brought together prosecutors from Qatar and GCC countries, providing an important platform for regional exchange and strengthening capacities to better protect children affected by armed conflict.

📘 Also check out our publication Child Trafficking and Armed Conflict!

https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/sites/default/files/2024/10/Child-trafficking-and-armed-conflict-2.pdf

10/06/2026

Les droits des enfants comptent. Leur voix aussi.

Au Burundi, l’AMADE - Association Mondiale des Amis de l'Enfance, FVS-Amie des Enfants et le Bureau de la Représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies pour les enfants et les conflits armés s’associent dans le cadre de la campagne pour faire entendre la voix des enfants et défendre leurs droits.

État civil, éducation, santé, protection… autant d’attentes concrètes exprimées dans leurs témoignages, qui rappellent l’importance d’associer les enfants aux décisions qui concernent leur avenir.

👉 Découvrez leurs messages et la mise en place de l’activité au travers d’une vidéo:
https://youtu.be/ERwYmJ-mezY

10/02/2026

USG Vanessa Frazier was honored to take part in the Global Summit for the protection of children affected by armed conflict in Geneva today.

She expressed deep appreciation to Junior Nzita, the spirit and energy behind this Global initiative, saying, "His childhood was stolen by conflict, yet his courage and voice continue to illuminate the path forward for all of us." Junior stood before the Security Council, spoke to Member States, and worked tirelessly with my Office to ensure that no child endures what he endured. His journey reminds us what is at stake.

Vanessa Frazier was also moved by the exchanges with children from Palestine, Ukraine, and Lebanon, who participated in the Summit, and she stressed that their lived experiences are the reasons why we keep going.