220 million children live in conflict zones around world: UN official

UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, said on Sunday in Algeria that more than 220 million children are living in 20 conflict zones around the world.

"More than 220 million children live in 20 countries hit by armed conflicts around the world, including eight Arab countries and eight African countries," Zerougui was quoted as saying by APS news agency on the sidelines the 4th High Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa being held in Oran, 420 km in the west of Algiers.

The UN official said a total of 65 million people have fled these conflict zones, including 28 million children, as these tragic events are affecting the future generations.

She also cited six major and serious violations against children, namely mutilations, executions, sexual violence, forced recruitment, attacks on schools and hospitals, abductions and denial of access to humanitarian aid.

(APD)