Four children have died in Baghdad on 2 February in 2022, in which three were boys and one girl- and two children were injured last week due to incidents related to explosive ordnances in two locations in Iraq.

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) expressed their deep sorrow and condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and the rest of the community.

As per the reports of UNICEF, this is not an isolated loss of children lives. Furthermore, they stated the data of 2021 in which they reported 52 children were killed, and 73 were injured by explosive remnants of war ERW and unexploded ordnance.

More vigorous concerted efforts are needed to reduce the crime, increasing the effectiveness of these explosives, particularly on boys, as the number of children deaths increased 67 percent compared to 2020(79 children for that year, including 61 boys and the rest of our girls).

“These events occurred in Babel region and Baghdad and incident occurred while children were doing tasks, such as collecting wood.”

UNICEF reminds all stakeholders that the need to uphold child safety must remain the priority. Moreover, ERW continues to be a primary reason for civilian casualties, with children being significantly weaker- their smaller size makes them likely to receive the full impact of the blast, making it even more lethal.

“UNICEF continues to provide victim families help and to those too who suffered from injuries and referral services to medical treatment and psychosocial support when needed.”

UNICEF prompts all parties to rev every effort to clear existing mines and unexploded mortar, promote victim help, and uphold children’s right to a safe and protective environment.

UNICEF also request the government of Iraq and the donor community to support the scale-up and provision of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education activities so that children and other community members receive volatile ordnance risk education in schools and districts in all areas last year affected by conflict in Iraq.”