Child Soldiers

Around the world, an estimated 250,000 children—some as young as 7—are involved in armed conflicts. Children are exploited in state-run armies, paramilitaries, and rebel groups. Coerced, enticed or abducted, these children serve as combatants, porters, spies, human mine detectors and sex slaves; their health and lives are endangered and their childhoods are sacrificed.

Media Contacts:

Laura Blank

lblank@worldvision.org

p 646.245.2496

Young children playing at war. PHOTO: World Vision / Jon Warren

Image of child soldier, courtesy of Change.org

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The Latest

Up to the minute news, press releases, media and more.

Children in A'zaz camp enjoy a light moment in the snow after fleeing violence in Syria. The camp is located about 60 miles from Aleppo City center. World Vision is providing blankets, mattresses and heating supplies to families there. PHOTO: World Vision.

Dec 21, 2016

Struggle for children who fled Aleppo ‘just beginning’, warn aid workers

World Vision providing blankets, mattresses and emergency supplies to those fleeing violence in Aleppo

Children at play in Debaga camp, Iraq. Many families housed here fled during the initial violence in Mosul in 2014. PHOTO: World Vision/Chris Weeks.

Nov 2, 2016

Mosul: Children arriving at camps too terrified to speak, say World Vision staff

World Vision has been setting up Child Friendly Spaces to provide safe spaces for children to play and receive psycho-social support in northern Iraq.

Debaga camp in nothern Iraq is home to people who fled the first wave of Mosul fighting in 2014. World Vision is assisting in the camp. PHOTO: World Vision.

Oct 17, 2016

Children ‘will need years of support’ after Mosul offensive

Up to a million people could leave the city, which has been occupied since June 2014. World Vision workng to pre-position supplies of food, clean water and hygiene kits, will set up Child Friendly Spaces for children to find normalcy.

Families live in makeshift tents in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, after fleeing their homes due to the Syria conflict. PHOTO: World Vision/Jon Warren

Sep 16, 2016

UN leaders can no longer sit on the fence; children’s lives are at stake

Nearly 50 million children are depending on leaders at UN summit to commit to concrete actions to address the issues causing children to flee their homes

Apr 25, 2016

One year later, World Vision continues to support the people of Nepal

One year later, World Vision continues to support the people of Nepal.

Ecuador's worst earthquake in decades hit Saturday, devastating the South American country. World Vision began responding immediately.

Apr 18, 2016

Ecuadorian earthquake “truly terrifying” says World Vision staff

Ecuador's worst earthquake in decades hit Saturday, devastating the South American country. World Vision began responding immediately.

A child works in a garment factory in Bangladesh. PHOTO: World Vision

Dec 16, 2015

Congress narrowly avoids shutdown of programs targeting child labor

The Congressional budget package released today continues funding for programs to end child labor after the House and Senate voted to cut funding to the Department of Labor’s impactful and critical program in June 2015.