Every Step Could be a Threat: Children and Explosive Remnants of War
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action New York, 2 April 2026 - In conflict and post-conflict settings, children face daily the risk of being killed or maimed from mines and explosive remnants of war. On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier, calls for urgent and renewed attention and resources for the protection of children from these deadly threats. "Children are particularly vulnerable to mines and explosive [...]
Toward Protecting Children in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
With negotiations underway toward a new treaty on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, supported by representatives of the international community, emphasized the urgency of strengthening protections for children, who remain among the most vulnerable in situations of widespread or systematic violence. At a high-level briefing hosted by the Permanent Missions of [...]
Statement on the Escalating Violence and the Impact on Children in Lebanon and the Middle East
Joint Statement by the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence Against Children The conflict and continued use of bombs and drones across the Middle East are inflicting tremendous harm on children. In Lebanon, dozens of children have been killed in the past ten days alone, and hundreds more have been injured. These numbers reflect only the visible toll. Thousands more children are enduring [...]
Statement to the Human Rights Council by Vanessa Frazier, SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict
[Please check against delivery] 61st Session of the Human Rights Council, Interactive Dialogue Presentation of the Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the Human Rights Council Mister/Madam President, Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council, Dear Colleagues, It is an honour to address the Human Rights Council for the first time in my capacity as Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General [...]
South Sudan: Alarming Surge in Grave Violations against Children amid Escalating Conflict
Statement by Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict South Sudan’s children are facing an alarming surge in grave violations amid escalating conflict and deteriorating security conditions. As hostilities intensify across the country, children are paying the highest price. A dramatic deterioration in the protection of children was recorded in 2025, with the number of grave violations verified by the United Nations increasing by [...]
Joint Statement by SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence Against Children on the escalating military operations in Iran and the region GalleryJoint Statement by SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence Against Children on the escalating military operations in Iran and the region
Joint Statement by SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence Against Children on the escalating military operations in Iran and the region
The rapidly escalating military operations in Iran and the region are devastating and present a serious threat to children. We are deeply alarmed by attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructures, schools, and hospitals. Schools and hospitals must not be attacked. We join the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Maximum restraint is imperative, and full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law must be [...]
[EN, AR, FR] USG Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Concludes First Official Visit to Lebanon Gallery[EN, AR, FR] USG Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Concludes First Official Visit to Lebanon
[EN, AR, FR] USG Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Concludes First Official Visit to Lebanon
Arabic and French follow Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), completed an official two-day visit to Lebanon. This visit marked a significant step in advancing engagement on the children and armed conflict agenda in the country. During her visit, she met with the Minister of Social Affairs and senior representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alongside UN partners, civil society, [...]
Looking Forward: a New Window of Hope for Children in Syria
Arabic follows UN Leading Advocate for the Protection of Conflict-Affected Children Concludes First Official Visit to the Syrian Arab Republic Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), completed today a three-day visit to the Syrian Arab Republic, where she met with senior Government representatives, civil society organisations, UN partners, representatives of the diplomatic community as well as parents and children who have [...]
Statement on Sudan by Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
New York, 16 February 2026 – Sudan’s children are living through one of the most devastating protection crises in the world. If the conflict started more than three years ago, the consequences for children are likely to last a lifetime. Last year, children continued to be recruited and used, abducted, killed, maimed, or fallen victims of sexual violence. Grave violations1 against children in Sudan have remained alarmingly high in 2025, with more than 1,850 [...]
Joint Statement by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, & the United Nations USG/SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers GalleryJoint Statement by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, & the United Nations USG/SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers
Joint Statement by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, & the United Nations USG/SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers
On the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, we reiterate the importance of protecting children from the ravages of war, as we witness the staggering scale of today’s conflicts and their devastating impact on children. One in five children worldwide lives in conflict-affected settings. Children are often the first and always the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict. Survivors endure severe physical and psychological trauma, prolonged displacement, and [...]