January 20th 2024.
In 1996, a group of carefree children were playing outside in a valley village in West Darfur. Suddenly, their peaceful day was interrupted by a loud noise and a large cloud of dark smoke rising from the nearby mountain. Elzahra Mohammed, who was 11 years old at the time, thought that perhaps a fire had broken out in one of the houses. But then, they heard gunshots. This was a sound that Elzahra describes as "very disturbing". People were seen running from the mountain into the valley, and the children were left confused and scared.
The fleeing people warned the children that they were being chased, and in a panicked rush, Elzahra and her friends ran into their homes to hide. They were afraid that they might be the next target. Elzahra vividly remembers the fear and confusion that filled her home as her family tried to comprehend the situation. Everyone was traumatized. Outside, people were trying to help those who had fled the mountain, including Elzahra's aunt who had been injured in the conflict. This was Elzahra's first experience of war, and it left a lasting impact on her.
As Elzahra grew up, she witnessed the ebb and flow of violent conflict in Sudan. There were times of peace and safety due to peacebuilding efforts, but there were also moments when she had to run back to her house from school because of gunfire and shouting. She came into contact with injuries and death, and these experiences had both immediate and long-term effects on her. Dr Unni Krishnan of Plan International, a global children's charity, explains that even though children do not start wars, they suffer the most from them. He has worked with children who have endured natural disasters and conflict for over 25 years and has seen the physical and psychological impacts on children.
Physically, children are more susceptible to serious injuries or even death as a result of missile strikes, debris, landmines, and ammunition. On a psychological level, children often become separated from their parents or guardians due to death or displacement, leading to feelings of acute loneliness. They may also cope with the violence they witness by withdrawing emotionally or becoming aggressive. In extreme cases, they may even turn to self-harm. These are just some of the ways in which war affects children.
Sadly, these scenarios are still happening today in countries like Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, and Israel. Fatima, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is just one of the many young people who are currently displaced in East Gaza. She lives with her family of seven in a small apartment, along with another large family. They are constantly living in fear as bombs fall around them every day. Fatima admits that she is "always afraid", even when she sleeps. She constantly worries about which corner of the house is the safest in case a bomb hits. With little access to food, water, or electricity, the two families in the small apartment are just trying to survive.
Fatima, who is also a Youth Advocate for Plan International, shares that they are all stressed and trying to stay calm and avoid snapping at each other. She tries to ignore any hurtful words that may come from her family, as they are all just trying to survive in a dangerous and uncertain situation. War may not be started by children, but they are the ones who suffer the most from it. It is a tragic reality that is still happening today, and we must do everything in our power to protect and support the innocent children caught in the midst of conflict.
As a child, Elzahra Mohammed used to play carefree on the streets of her village in West Darfur. It was a peaceful and happy time, until one day, a dark cloud of smoke appeared on the horizon. At first, she thought it might be a fire, but then she heard the terrifying sound of gunshots. Everyone started running and screaming, and Elzahra and her friends quickly sought shelter in their homes, not knowing what was happening.
Amidst the chaos, Elzahra's aunt was injured and she witnessed the horror of war for the first time. It was a traumatic experience for her and her entire community. The violence continued to escalate in Sudan, with periods of relative calm interrupted by sudden outbursts of conflict. Elzahra and her peers had to constantly be on guard, never knowing when they would have to run back to their homes for safety.
Growing up in a war-torn country, Elzahra was exposed to death and injuries at a young age. It had a profound impact on her, both immediately and in the long run. Dr Unni Krishnan, who has worked with children affected by disasters and conflicts for over 25 years, explains that while children may not start wars, they are the ones who suffer the most. Physically, they are more vulnerable to injuries and death due to their tender bodies. And emotionally, they are often separated from their families and peers, leading to feelings of loneliness and trauma.
Children living in war zones may also exhibit behavioral changes, such as becoming withdrawn and aggressive. They may also experience physical symptoms like headaches and difficulty breathing. These are just some of the ways in which war can have a devastating impact on young lives.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated situation. Hundreds of thousands of children around the world are still facing the horrors of war in countries like Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, and Israel. One of these children is Fatima, a 23-year-old living in East Gaza. She and her family are constantly in fear as bombs fall around their home. Even at night, when she tries to sleep, she can't help but think about which corner of the room would be the safest in case a bomb hits.
With limited resources and constant danger, Fatima and her family are just trying to survive. They are constantly stressed and on edge, trying not to snap at each other. But amidst the chaos, Fatima remains hopeful and determined to stay strong. She refuses to let the war break her spirit or her family's bond.
The stories of Elzahra and Fatima are just two examples of the countless children who are innocent victims of war. These young lives are forever changed by the violence and destruction around them. It is a tragic reality that must be acknowledged and addressed, for the sake of the future generation.
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