Global Awareness: Armed Conflict What is the affect? Why is this important?

Armed Conflict: Any political, ethnic, or social conflict that involves the use of weapons in a destructive manner. Within the past 10 years more than 2 million children have died in armed conflict...that’s 200,000 children every year children every day...at least 2 children every minute At least 6 million children have been seriously injured or disable...that’s 1,643 children every day

Affects of Armed Conflict Increase the risk of children being exposed to abuse, violence, and exploitation Disruption of local water and electricity supplies Increased spread of diseases including AIDS Stressed and/or damaged health care systems that result in ill equipped facilities

Social and Mental Affects on Children 20 million children have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict and are now refugees More than 1 million children are now orphans Long-term impact on their education and mental growth because of interruption in schooling...kids want to go to school! 300,000 children have been forced into becoming child soldiers where they are required to fight, kill, transport messages, cook, etc...

What Do You Already Know About Children and Armed Conflict? 1. A 15% 2. C 90% 3. B 50% 4. B 300, C 2 Million 6. C 20 Million Which answer stood out to you the most?

Read “Martha’s Story” You Martha 16 years old *Click on picture to see short video of Martha Sierra Leone

On your outline answer the following questions: 1.) Name at least three ways in which armed conflict has affected Martha’s life. 2.) How might these changes affect Martha in the future?

1.) Name at least three ways in which armed conflict has affected Martha’s life. –Family separation –Father was killed, orphaned –Random violence –Has to sell food to support herself and Aunt –Can not go to school 2.) How might these changes affect Martha in the future? –Behind in education –No monetary support to go to school –Has to work at an early age –Emotional distress

So what is UNICEF? The United Nations Children Fund “We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.” ( Currently working in 191 countries

Let’s see what UNICEF’s Director of Emergency Programs has to say... Read the transcript interview with director, Mr. Dan Toole On your outline answer the following questions: –What is the “direct” impact of armed conflict? –What is the “indirect” impact? –Why are children “the most vulnerable” and affected by war?

Indirect Impact –Affects government budgets and money usually spent towards schools or other services are spent elsewhere, usually the military –Immunization clinics –Weak social services Direct impact... –Kills children –Deprives children of schooling Children are most vulnerable because... –Combination of direct and indirect effects –Children do not have much influence on these effects

UNICEF in Action... This is heavy stuff...but there is hope! UNICEF and many other International Organizations have a wide range of activities and ways to meet the needs of children affected by armed conflict The service UNICEF offers varies from country to country depending on the conflict There are three main phases that UNICEF addresses: 1.When conflict begins 2.Extended conflict 3.After conflict is over

UNICEF in Action... Meeting basic human needs –Works with other UN agencies to provide food supplies, emergency shelters, tents, etc... Water and Sanitation –Provides water and water purification kits Medical Care –Ensures basic medical supplies are sent to conflict areas –Provides immunizations in crowded, disease infested areas Working with governments –Encourages governments to sign laws prohibiting the use of children as soldiers –Encourages governments to increase their commitments to provide services to children affected by war

UNICEF in Action...(continued) Psychosocial Programs –Identifies and cares for children who are traumatized or need psychological help Landmine Awareness –Education programs to teach children how to recognize and avoid these deadly traps Family Reunification –Supports programs that trace lost children and reunite them with families Education –Sets up schools for displaced children –Provides school supplies

Now it’s YOUR turn... You will be looking at a specific country and be making a pamphlet to educate and eradicate the affects of armed conflict on children. Each country will be assigned by your LAST name so write it down! A- D.....Afghanistan E- H.....Columbia I- M......Lebanon N- Q....Timor-Leste R- U....Iraq V- Z.....Sudan