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Explosive Weapons and Child Casualties in Conflict - Five Key Facts

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Drawing on five years of UN-verified data from conflict situations worldwide, UNICEF's latest fact sheet 'Explosive Weapons and Child Casualties in Conflict - Five Key Facts' shows that more than 35,900 children were killed or maimed by explosive weapons between 2021 and 2025. The proportion of child casualties caused by explosive weapons rose from 54 per cent in 2021 to more than 72 per cent in 2025.

The report also highlights the growing impact of armed drones on children. More than 1,000 children were verified as killed or maimed in drone attacks over the five-year period, with child casualties recorded across 13 conflict situations in 2025.

Download the fact sheet here. 

About UNICEF

UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For further information please contact:

Media@unicef.ca