The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday said today’s horrific attack on a civilian area in Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, has reportedly killed a six-year-old child and injured at least 12 other children.
This is contained in a press statement by Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and available to 108scoop.com.
UNICEF said the attack reportedly hit a town square, a university building and a theatre as families were going about their daily lives. Such attacks scar the lives of those affected and chip away at the fabric of the country.
“This is just the latest of a recent sequence of reported attacks that have killed and injured children across Ukraine. Time and time again we are seeing children’s lives cut short and families suffering the insurmountable grief of losing a child, all due to this horrific war.
“The killing and maiming of children have been sustained throughout the length of this war. More than 1700 children have lost their lives or sustained injuries, mostly from bombardment.
“Attacks must stop. Children must be protected. This country must be given the chance for peace and its children the chance of a future.”
UNICEF, however, called on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to abide by legal and moral obligations to keep children out of the line of fire.
It added that children and their families desperately need peace.
