David Cameron: Protect Children Facing Brutal Wars and Disasters
- by: Unicef UK
- recipient: Prime Minister David Cameron
Children are facing more devastating wars and disasters than ever before. Safi, 9 years old, told us: "My school in Syria closed because of the war. An airplane dropped a barrel bomb on our school. I was hurt when they dropped another bomb and got shrapnel in my face and back."
With one in ten children now living in conflict-affected areas and children making up half or more of those affected by natural disasters last year, the world needs to change how it responds to children in emergencies. Whilst protecting children from violence is life-saving in emergencies, just like water, shelter and medicine, it isn't prioritised in the same way. This needs to change.
In May 2016, the first ever World Humanitarian Summit will take place and the UK Government must make protecting children from violence a priority in how we respond to emergencies.
Ahead of the summit, David Cameron must show his leadership in making this a priority by committing to:
-Protecting schools
-Protecting children from extreme violence
-Protecting children who are alone
After fleeing Syria, Safi and his family now live in a host community in Turkey. Safi dreams of becoming a doctor, so he can "help people who are affected by the war and save their lives." To help millions of children facing violence right now, please sign the petition telling David Cameron to protect children in emergencies.
Dear Prime Minister,
Children are facing more devastating wars and disasters than ever before. Children have been killed while studying in the classroom, recovering in hospital or sleeping in their beds. Many have been orphaned, forced to become soldiers, kidnapped, raped and traumatised. At the first ever World Humanitarian Summit in May 2016, protecting children from violence in emergencies must be a priority for the UK Government.
Ahead of the summit, the UK should show its leadership by committing to:
-Protecting schools so that children can learn, play and escape the horrors of war, making sure that schools are never attacked or taken over for military use.
-Protecting children from extreme violence by tackling the use of child soldiers, explosive weapons in populated areas, sexual violance and other grave dangers.
-Protecting children who are alone whether forced from their homes or separated from their families by wars or disasters - and in danger of abuse, violence, and exploitation.
Protecting children from violence is life-saving in emergencies, just like water, shelter and medicine, yet it isn't prioritised in the same way. This needs to change. Every moment we fail to act, the risk of life-shattering violence grows. For Amal in Syria, who risks her life every day she goes to school. For Boto in South Sudan, forced to carry a gun that's bigger than he is. For the countless children taking perilous journeys alone to escape wars and disasters. For every child in danger, the UK Government must do all it can to keep children safe.
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[Your name here]
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