The world has seen much death and devastation caused by war in the last few years. As with any war, it is the most vulnerable of the population that is most severely affected. Islamic Relief operates many relief and development projects across the globe, many of which are in war-torn countries. Our belief is that countries are rebuilt, and populations are given hope through taking care and empowering our children.

Armed conflicts are a global scourge with devastating effects on children. Estimated numbers of child victims of armed conflicts during the past decade include:

Approximately 540 million children in the world – one in four – live in dangerous, unstable situations. Women and children usually comprise 80% of the refugee and displaced populations and up to 5% of refugee populations are children separated from their families.

Close to 90 percent of war casualties are civilians – most of them women and children.

During armed conflict, girls and women are continually threatened by rape, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, trafficking, sexual humiliation and mutilation.

Of the 10 countries with the highest rates of under-five deaths, seven are affected by armed conflict.

Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq, Kashmir and Palestine are a few countries that have suffered through war recently. Islamic Relief is fortunate to be working on the ground in these countries, providing them aid, and giving them hope of a brighter future.