Children and armed conflict: DR Congo among the countries most affected by grave violations against children in 2025, UNICEF warns UN Security Council

Addressing the UN Security Council on October 26, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned of the scale of grave violations against children in armed conflicts. The UN has verified more than 430,000 such violations since 2005, including over 38,000 in 2025; the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the State of Palestine and Nigeria recorded the highest numbers last year. Russell said the verified figures understate the true scale and include killings and maimings, recruitment by armed groups, sexual violence, abductions and denial of humanitarian aid. Marking 30 years since Graça Machel’s landmark report, she urged the international community to strengthen efforts to protect children.