Children in war-torn parts of the world are suffering more than before with violence against them reaching the highest numbers seen in almost two decades, according to Save the Children (STC).
Its report has found grave violations against children in conflict-hit regions increased 15 per cent in 2023, the highest level since UN reporting of these crimes started in 2005.
Save the Children listed Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Myanmar, Occupied Palestinian territories, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Ukraine as the 10 worst conflict-affected countries to be a child.
In 2023, there were 31,721 cases of grave violations against children, representing 87 violations a day, a 15 per cent increase from the previous year.
The largest increases were reported in Sudan and the Occupied Palestinian territories.
The report, Stop the War on Children: Pathways to Peace, analysed the number of verified grave violations against children over two decades using the 2023 United Nations Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict.
The grave violations included killing, maiming and abduction, sexual violence, recruitment into armed groups, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access to children.
Children in Gaza wish for 'end to the war'
In Egypt, 18-year-old Khalid fled Gaza after being displaced with his family.
After a difficult journey to cross the Rafah border with Egypt, he said he missed his father, who had to remain in Gaza.
"What I want most right now, is to see my father … I hope that my father can come here [Egypt] so that our family can be reunited," he said.
When he was in Gaza, despite being in a war-zone he never stopped looking toward the future.
"I dream of becoming a police officer. I want my dream to become a reality, to succeed and graduate from university," he said.
Looking back on fond memories of his home, he hopes to see Gaza better than it was before,
"What I remember most about my home, is that there were trees and many beautiful things. We used to always play with our friends and stay up late playing and talking.
"What I wish for now is a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to the war so that we can see our families and friends, and reunite with our loved ones."
In Deir al-Balah, south of Gaza, Samar has been living with her children, who are aged 12, nine, five and two years-old.
They were displaced multiple times and now live in a tent.
Early into the war, in their home in Gaza city, Samar said she fled with her children after Israeli forces bombed their neighbour's house.
Her children woke "scared and screamed" at the sound of the bombing at 2am.
"I tried to comfort them and tell them that it's far. That we are fine and that it's far from us. They kept screaming and saying that it's close and that the glass is on us," she said.
"Pieces of glass fell on us while sleeping and dust was in the air, to the extent that we could not see our own fingers. That's how heavy the dust and smoke were, and it was just across the street," Samar said.
The experience has had lasting effects on them.
She said when her children hear the sound of a rocket now, one puts their hands over their ears and another spaces out.
"My youngest daughter says [boom] when she hears the rocket noises. She screams other times, or shivers," she said.
The Israel-Gaza was sparked after Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, and took 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel then launched attacks in Gaza which the Palestinian health ministry said has killed more than 44,300 people, with many more bodies believed to be remaining under the rubble.
Impact on children in Sudan
In a refugee camp in south Sudan, mother-of-five Marium lives with her children after being displaced four times since the conflict started on April 15, 2023.
Life in the camps for Marium and her children has been hard, especially without the children's father, who remained in Khartoum, Sudan's capital.
Marium's 14-year-old daughter Aisha has been distressed about the feared loss of her father – who they haven't heard from since they left Khartoum.
"I don't know if my husband is alive or dead and this greatly worries the children, especially my oldest daughter. She loved her father so much, and living without him all she does is think about him," Marium said.
At the very start of the conflict in Sudan, Marium was in hospital with Aisha and eight-year-old Harum, who struggles to control his bladder due to back problems.
The hospital and surrounding area were attacked, leaving Marium and her two children stuck in the hospital for three days.
"It was very stressful … The hospital was later bombed, but we were in there with two kids. Within the country I was separated from the other children, I couldn't find them," she said.
She said it was a harrowing experience for her and her children.
"One of my children, the oldest girl, was very distressed because of all the shooting, and one of my boys was fainting all the time," she said.
Harum has not received the treatment needed for his back issue and has been unable to keep himself clean or walk long distances.
This has put additional financial strains on the family, who have to use the money they receive for food assistance to spend on additional clothing for him.
He's been seeking psychological treatment to deal with the stress from Save the Children professionals.
In Sudan, 11-year-old Janat lives with her parents and two brothers.
She wishes the war would stop "to have peace".
"We need security, and a president to rule the country and stop the war."
She’s constantly smiling and loves to tell jokes. Her favourite subjects are Arabic, the sciences and religious studies.
Jannat loves to watch the National Geographic channel to learn new things and is a hardworking student.
"My wish for the future is to become a doctor and travel the world. I wish to travel to Korea. They have a developed technology," she said.
"To leaders [I say] stop the war because a lot of children have lost their parents."
