Myanmar: UNICEF warns children of Kachin face growing threats due to recent fighting, 22 April 2014
In a press release UNICEF Myanmar Country Representative Bertrand Bainvel stated that, “It is an unfortunate fact that the heightened risk that children face does not disappear even after the fighting stops, because they face a significantly increased risk of falling victim to commonly used landmines and even to possible recruitment into the combatant’s armed forces.”
UNICEF stated that ” Landmines left behind or placed intentionally continue to cause harm to vulnerable populations, including children, as well as hamper humanitarian aid delivery.” and note that the conflict areas in Kachin State and northern Shan State are heavily mined.
UNICEF called on the Myanmar Army and the combatants in ethnic armed groups to immediately commit to ” protect children from exposure to land mines and recruitment into armed forces,”
URL: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47626#.U3tJqqa-7vo