Urgent Call for Protection of Children Amid Escalating Violence in the Middle East

Save the Children has issued a critical appeal for the protection of children and civilian infrastructure, particularly schools and hospitals, in light of escalating violence across the Middle East. Reports indicate that over 100 children were killed in recent strikes on two schools in Iran, prompting urgent calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The humanitarian organization emphasizes that children should never be caught in the crossfire of conflict, and their safety must be prioritized.

News quote: “Schools are not battlefields”: Save the Children calls for all children to be protected as violence escalates across the Middle East and the wider region - WorldSave the Children Demands Immediate Protection for All Children as Violence Escalates Across the Middle East and the Wider Region

Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children International, stated, “We are standing at the brink of a devastating war that is already having horrific consequences for children and their families. Children should never be caught in the crossfire, and their homes, schools, and communities must not become battlefields.” Ashing highlighted that wars have laws, and children and schools must remain off-limits during conflicts.

News quote: “Schools are not battlefields”: Save the Children calls for all children to be protected as violence escalates across the Middle East and the wider region - World

Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of Save the Children US, echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Children should never pay the price when conflict escalates. And yet, once again, they are.” Soeripto emphasized the long-term psychological impact of conflict on children, noting that fear and trauma can leave lasting scars that extend beyond immediate dangers.

Save the Children Demands Immediate Protection for All Children as Violence Escalates Across the Middle East and the Wider Region

The ongoing violence threatens not only the physical safety of children but also their access to education and essential healthcare. Save the Children warns that as hostilities intensify, children risk displacement and losing opportunities for learning and social interaction. The organization has been active in crisis situations for over a century and understands the profound effects of conflict on children's lives.

News quote: “Schools are not battlefields”: Save the Children calls for all children to be protected as violence escalates across the Middle East and the wider region - World

Save the Children’s call for action has been met with a sense of urgency, as the organization insists that all parties involved in the conflict must uphold their obligations under international law. The organization stresses that every hour of delay in ceasing hostilities puts another child's life and future at risk.

Save the Children Demands Immediate Protection for All Children as Violence Escalates Across the Middle East and the Wider Region

• “Every war is a war on children, and the world cannot stand by and watch children be killed or injured.” — Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children International

News quote: “Schools are not battlefields”: Save the Children calls for all children to be protected as violence escalates across the Middle East and the wider region - World

• “All parties must act now to protect children. Not tomorrow. Now. Every hour of delay is another child's life — or future — at risk. We call on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, uphold their obligations under international law, and ensure that schools, hospitals, and the children within them do not become targets. They never should be.” — Janti Soeripto, President & CEO, Save the Children US

Save the Children Demands Immediate Protection for All Children as Violence Escalates Across the Middle East and the Wider Region

As violence escalates in the Middle East, Save the Children’s urgent appeal highlights the critical need for the protection of children and civilian infrastructure. The organization calls for immediate action to ensure that children are shielded from the devastating impacts of war, emphasizing that their safety and well-being must be prioritized above all else.

Save the Children Demands Immediate Protection for All Children as Violence Escalates Across the Middle East and the Wider Region