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| © UNICEF/ HQ03-0012/Shehzad Noorani |
For a year, in 2003 and 2004, I lived in Iraq working as a journalist. Annette Apitz's recent post about children's lives in that country brought up a lot of memories for me. While I lived there, I saw some devastating things: families squatting dismally in an abandoned soccer stadium because their neighborhoods were no longer safe; hospitals full of wounded with almost no medicine to treat them; the aftermath of bombings that left cars, houses and humans in wrecked pieces.
But worst of all was seeing children purposely targeted for violence and—shockingly common—for kidnapping. UNICEF is very concerned about an increase in kidnappings of children in several countries including Iraq, Haiti and the Central African Republic, and is calling on governments to enact and enforce measures that provide a protective environment for children.
It's hard to fathom how anyone can justify kidnapping a child. In Iraq, children of high-ranking officials were kidnapped to punish their parents, or, more frequently, children were kidnapped for ransom. As the economy in Iraq spiraled downward, criminal gangs and armed groups turned to more desperate, and despicable, ways of making money. Kidnapping became rampant. And children, who are vulnerable to manipulation and who can't put up a fight, became kidnappers' easiest targets.
My translator's neighbors—two young boys—were kidnapped. Their parents borrowed thousands of dollars to get them back. Upon their return, the boys described being held in a basement with over a dozen other children who were waiting for ransom to be paid. They're safe now, but the trauma they endured is something they will live with for the rest of their lives. Here's a good article about Iraqi siblings who now live in Texas but continue to struggle with all the violence they experienced in Iraq.
UNICEF has many programs to protect children from violence and help them in its aftermath. But it's everyone's duty to ensure children are safe from harm.
Comments (2)
I must admit that I cried when I read this blog entry about the kidnapped children? Can one imagine the fear that must go through their young minds? And then there are the parents of these children; and given that I may be biased as I am the mother of three children, I do believe if I were tbe mother of one of tbese children, I would have litterally lost my mind! My heart goes out to all of tbe children AND their parents, and I will be putting my money, although I am on a fixed income, where my mouth is; I believe every little bit can belp. Thanks for "listening".
Posted by MJ Hall | June 27, 2008 7:04 AM
Posted on June 27, 2008 07:04
my brother was kidnapped n killed for ransom 2yrs ago. the kidnappers killed him that very day two shots in his head ,n threw his body in the valley. he was 21 yrs old.we got to knw abt his death after 10 days.it was kidnappers modus operandi.. to pick any1 randomly, record the persons voice n than kill him .later ask for the ransom by makin the relatives hear the recorded voice. my parents are still in a trauma.i could not even cry when i saw my brothers shirt drenched in blood.
i just pray to lord to make this world a better place for us n for our children to come.
amen
Posted by anu | June 28, 2008 2:29 PM
Posted on June 28, 2008 14:29