By Anadolu staff
UNICEF said Thursday that children bear the brunt of rising bloodshed in Myanmar after reports about escalating deadly violence in Rakhine State.
June Kunugi, UNICEF regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, said the agency was “gravely concerned” by reports of an Aug. 25 attack in Mrauk U Township that killed and injured children and destroyed homes.
“The escalation of conflict in Rakhine in recent months has left children increasingly vulnerable. Deadly attacks continue to drive fear, displacement and suffering. Children are being killed in the very places where they should feel safe, including in their homes and communities,” she said in a statement.
Kunugi warned that due to increasing violence, insecurity, and displacement, families in Rakhine are also facing acute food shortages and severe disruptions of essential services for children, including education and health care.
UNICEF urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, including children, and ensure humanitarian organizations have unimpeded access to deliver lifesaving aid.
The UN human rights office warned last week that conditions for the Rohingya in Myanmar are deteriorating, and urged immediate action to end impunity and strengthen international support.
The office said the situation in Rakhine State has sharply deteriorated since November 2023, deepening already life-threatening conditions.
Rakhine State is home to the Rohingya people, who fled Myanmar in hundreds of thousands in the past decade due to violent crackdowns by the military and armed groups.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid