A+ A-

Hollande says more needs to be done to help children in conflicts

PARIS, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday urged the international community to reinvigorate efforts to help children caught up in the various conflicts around the world and in which they are innocent victims.
Speaking at a conference sponsored by France and the UNICEF children's body, Hollande recalled efforts initiated in a Paris conference 10 years ago to spur on international action to help children in conflict zones.
"Unfortunately, the situation has not really changed; on the contrary," the French leader told the gathering that included Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and a number of ambassadors, international representatives, the UN and NGOs.
"Numerous children have died in a general indifference" over the past decade, Hollande pointed out, indicating in particular children who are dying in combat and from hunger because of conflict.
He cited the "tens of thousands of young Syrians whose childhood has been stolen" and "when they have been asked to draw pictures cannot draw houses...but only ruins and cannot draw birds in the sky but only helicopters dropping explosive barrel bombs on them." Hollande also drew attention to various conflicts where children are being forced to fight and die, Afghanistan and in Africa. He cited some progress in getting certain groups to refrain from enrolling children in the ranks of the military. But he said more remains to be done.
"Killing and brutalising children is a denial of civilisation," he affirmed.
"The urgency is still there. We must resume the slogan we picked up ten years ago: Let's Protect Children from War," the President said.
According to Hollande and figures from UNICEF, there are 230 million children located in conflict zones and 15 million directly affected by active fighting.
He also warned that 1.5 million children risked dying of hunger if there is no immediate intervention to help them. South Sudan was cited as a major crisis that needs international help.
The French leader urged further progress on getting agreements from the international community on respecting a charter for children's rights and welfare.
He said that 105 States have adopted the "Paris Principles" agreed ten years' ago to promote the universality of protecting children and respecting their rights.
He announced France would undertake a bigger French financial effort to help children worldwide and called for action by other countries to help with contributions.
Hollande was also critical of Britain for not "assuming its responsibilities" in taking in child refugees as had been agreed.
About 3,000 orphans or unaccompanied children had been slated to go to Britain after the dismantling of the "Jungle" Calais refugee camp in northern France several months ago, but only a handful of cases have been so far dealt with by London. (end) jk.mt