STOP THE WAR ON CHILDRENSave the Children launched a new report ‘Killed and Maimed: A Generation of Violations Against Children in Conflict’ revealing shocking new data on children living on the front-lines of conflict.In 2019, the number of children living in high-intensity conflict zones increased to 160 million from 157 million in 2018, while the total number of children living near conflict increased by 9 million.2019 concludes a ‘deadly decade’ for children in conflict, with more than 170,000 grave violations verified since 2010.Worldwide, at least 20 people a day are killed or injured by landmines or unexploded bombs – nearly one an hour.Children account for 54 percent of all civilian casualties of landmines.Suicide bombs, landmines, unexploded ordinance, air strikes and other forms of explosives account for 72% of child deaths and injuries across the world’s deadliest war zones (analysis by Save the Children)Landmines and unexploded ordnance violate nearly all the articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: a child’s right to life, to a safe environment in which to play, to health, clean water, sanitary conditions and adequate education.UNICEF: Children and Landmines: A Deadly LegacyChildren are far more likely to die from landmine injuries than adults. An estimated 85 percent of child victims of landmines die before reaching the hospital.Children, particularly refugees and displaced children returning home, are in particular danger of landmines because they are most likely to be unaware of the dangers of playing in or traversing hazardous areas.Landmines cause gut-wrenching injuries: children may lose their sight or hearing; lose fingers, toes and limbs; suffer injuries to their genitals. They also suffer psychologically from the trauma of a landmine injury.Without adequate medical treatment, children injured by landmines are often pulled out of school. They face limited future prospects for education and employment and are often perceived as a burden to their families.Landmines devastate the lives of children by killing or maiming their parents or caregivers. When mothers are maimed or killed, children are less likely to receive adequate nutrition, to be immunized or to be protected from exploitation. When fathers fall victim to landmines, children are often forced out of school and into work to supplement family income.The cost of providing long-term care for child landmine victims can be prohibitive. Rehabilitation clinics are often too far away or too expensive to access.