Children Swept Up in Violence in Ukraine, Says UNICEF
UNICEF is deeply concerned about the unrest in Ukraine and its damaging impact on the lives of children.
NEW YORK (May 15, 2014) - UNICEF is deeply concerned about the unrest in Ukraine and its damaging impact on the lives of children. We know that children have been involved in violent demonstrations, and we are examining reports of children being killed and injured in Odessa. UNICEF condemns these grave violations of children’s rights in the strongest possible terms.
UNICEF reports an increase in the demand for psychological services for children alongside the disruption of access to education and health services. It is dangerous and detrimental to a child’s health and wellbeing to be witness to or become swept up in violence. UNICEF calls on all parties to do their utmost to maintain services for children and their families, and to make sure that children are not involved or used in demonstrations or witnesses to violence.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.
For additional information, please contact:
Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9146, smasur@unicefusa.org