Not too long ago, I blogged about the worsening situation in Afghanistan, and the impact it's having on children there. Now the UN Secretary-General has released a report—compiled with help from UNICEF—which shows just how badly children in Afghanistan are suffering as a result of ongoing conflict in the country.
Afghan children are being recruited as suicide bombers, drawn into the military and used for sex by armed groups. They are also frequently caught up in suicide attacks or targeted directly with violence.
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| © UNICEF/AFGA000871/Asad Zaidi |
| A girl watches from the window of her tent classroom at Khawaja Rowash Middle School in Kabul, Afghanistan. |
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde Frafjord Johnson, who visited Afghanistan recently, said, “After the fall of the Taliban, people were under the assumption that Afghanistan was venturing into the post-conflict phase and that some of the aspects that were hitting children hardest would go down. But I think there is a reality check that has kicked in amongst all players that this is not that case."
There have been some particularly awful stories of attacks against children in Afghanistan recently. The worst, for me, was learning that at least 15 schoolgirls and female teachers had been sprayed with acid, presumably to prevent them from attending school. On November 12, two men on a motorcycle threw the acid on the girls near the Mirwais Nika Girls High School in Kandahar and then fled. Most of the girls suffered severe burns from the acid, and at least one of them will need plastic surgery to reconstruct her face and neck. Ten men—members of the Taliban—were later arrested for involvement in the attack.
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| © UNICEF/AFGA001221/Katarina Premfors |
| A crowd of schoolgirls gather for morning roll call at Maleka Jalaly High School for Girls in Herat, western Afghanistan. The school is one of the largest in the area, and has seen a steady increase in girls' enrolment since the restarting of schooling for girls in March 2002. |
The truly despicable nature of that attack has ensured lots of press coverage on the story. But there are many other stories of school-related attacks we don't hear much about. So far this year, there have been 256 violent school incidents, resulting in some 58 deaths and 46 injuries. And in 2007, arsonists were to blame for a total of 236 school incidents.
Given the danger, it's truly inspiring to know that many children will not be deterred from the education they deserve. And so the good news is, student enrollment in Afghanistan has continued to rise. More than 6 million Afghan children now attend school, in comparison to 3 million in 2002.
But children in Afghanistan need our help. Now, on top of all the violence, they are facing food shortages and a fast-approaching winter that is sure to bring brutally cold and stormy weather. Recently, the Ministry of Public Health warned that around 1.6 million children under five and are at risk of dying this winter due to malnutrition. Sad news for children whose daily survival is already a struggle.
Comments (5)
From your article I see that the children in this country really need our help. You said one terrible thing, I think, that there were other stories of school-related attacks we don't hear much about and how many are they? If the country can't protect its children, what can we do?
Posted by Jamie | January 9, 2009 3:06 AM
Posted on January 9, 2009 03:06
Thanks for commenting, Jamie. Yes, there've been many attacks on schools in Afghanistan. In 2008, there were at least 256 violent school incidents, resulting in some 58 deaths and 46 injuries.
So what can we do? For one, just spread the word. Afghan children need help and the more people who know it, the better. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers.
You can contact you Members of Congress to express your concern. Also, visit our advocacy page where you can sign a petition asking for a Presidential Initiative to Accelerate Child Survival (www.unicefusa.org/advocate).
This initiative does not directly address problems in any one country, but it asks for the executive leadership and the resources needed to make dramatic improvements in saving the lives of children and mothers worldwide.
Finally, consider making a donation to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. You can donate money specifically in support of UNICEF's Emergency Programs in Afghanistan (www.unicefusa.org/donate/afghanistan) or toward the Afghan Education Alliance(http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/six-ngos-partner-with-the-
us.html).
Either way, you can be sure that you'll be helping the children of Afghanistan.
Posted by Jen Banbury, UNICEF USA | January 13, 2009 8:30 PM
Posted on January 13, 2009 20:30
I want to help the girls school in afghanistan specifically. Can you give me a contact with the school? THANK YOU
Posted by Lorene Hernandez | January 15, 2009 8:23 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 20:23
Lorene, We are not able to put you in direct contact with any particular school. But to support UNICEF's work for girl's education in Afghanistan, please visit this webpage about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's Afghan Education Aliance:
http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/six-ngos-partner-with-the-us.html
And to make an online donation in support of girl's education in Afghanistan, click here:
https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1941&1941.donation=form1
Thanks for your concern!
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January 20, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on January 20, 2009 12:53
i saw this and i thought wow they do need help! i contacted my school and organized a fundraiser to help these kids. They are so helpless, i decided to help. my family isnt rich but even though i dont have a lot of money im here to help!
Posted by jennelle | January 29, 2009 10:41 PM
Posted on January 29, 2009 22:41