Thirty years ago, world leaders made a historic commitment to the

world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the

Rights of the Child – an international agreement on childhood. 

It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and
has helped transform children’s lives around the world. 

But still not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Still, too many
childhoods are cut short. 

It is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government,

business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for
child rights now, once and for all. They must commit to making
sure every child, has every right.

The war in Ukraine is having a devastating impact on the country’s 7.5

million children. Humanitarian needs are multiplying by the hour as the
fighting continues. Children continue to be killed, wounded and deeply
traumatized by the violence all around them. Families are terrified, in
shock, and desperate for safety.
How to help UNICEF’s work with children in
Ukraine
The past eight years of conflict in Ukraine have already inflicted profound
and lasting harm on children. Now, the threats to Ukraine’s children have
only grown. By 8 May, more than 5.8 million refugees had fled Ukraine,
around half of them children. Millions more people have been internally
displaced. Such large-scale displacements could have lasting
consequences for generations to come. Children fleeing war in Ukraine
are also at heightened risk of human trafficking and
exploitation. Meanwhile, attacks using explosive weapons in populated
urban areas continue to inflict civilian casualties including among
children, and considerable damage to essential infrastructure and
services. As a result, children’s homes, schools, hospitals, water
systems, power plants, and places where civilians are seeking shelter
have been damaged or destroyed.

UNICEF is working with partners to reach vulnerable children and

families with essential services – including health, education, protection,
water and sanitation – as well as life-saving supplies.