Save the Children: ‘Children are the innocent casualties of a conflict raging around them'
After a roadside bombing in the Kijran district in Afghanistan, which reportedly killed 14 civiliansincluding five children, Save the Children released the below statement.
Chris Nyamandi, Country Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan:
WE STAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH CHILDREN IN THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST PLACES.
“We vehemently condemn the roadside blast in Daikundi that reportedly killed five children and seven women travelling in a bus today. Once again, children are the innocent casualties of a conflict raging around them, a conflict they have no part in. We must never accept the term ‘collateral damage’ when it comes to children – it’s simply unacceptable that they have made up a third of all civilian casualties this year.”
“We call upon all parties to the conflict to do everything they can to protect civilians in this brutal war. We have seen time and again how explosive weapons used in densely populated areas or on roadsides can kill everything in their path indiscriminately. And it’s the children bearing the brunt of this – they are not only being killed or maimed, but they are also losing their mothers and their fathers. A peaceful and productive future for Afghanistan relies on the protection and education of its children.”
For questions or requests:
Mariam Atahi (Kabul): Mariam.Atahi@savethechildren.org / +93 72 897 2030
Rik Goverde (London): rik.goverde@savethechildren.org
Out-of-hours: Media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44 7831 650 409