According to statistics published by Human Rights Watch, there are over 300,000 children around the world serving as armed soldiers – some as young as 8-years-old. And, as Human Rights Watch notes, most of these children become soldiers out of force or desperation.
Children are most likely to become child soldiers if they are poor, separated from their families, displaced from their homes, living in a combat zone or have limited access to education. Orphans and refugees are particularly vulnerable to recruitment.
Many children join armed groups because of economic or social pressure, or because children believe that the group will offer food or security.
Iraq’s war kids are in a particularly dire situation, with 39 percent of the population under 15 years old, and a third of the population living in poverty. In fact, this May, Reuters reported that Iraq’s war kids are suffering rapidly worsening conditions, with little access to needed care.
USAID found that “There are currently 3.4 million youth out of school who are experiencing high levels of unemployment. This vulnerable population is in need of basic education and vocational skills training.”
War Kids Relief serves the needs of Iraq’s war kids by providing programs of basic education and vocational skills training through our Iraq Youth Centers. It’s crucial that we not lose these kids to the violence, desperation, and hopelessness that is destroying Iraq. By giving these kids a chance, we give them not only them hope for a better future, but the entire nation.
Thanks to your generous financial support, we are making a difference in the lives of Iraq’s war kids. Join us in our efforts, and together let’s give Iraq’s war kids a fighting chance, rather than a chance at fighting.
