Toronto, ON, June 18, 2026 – Plan International is alarmed by the findings in the United Nations Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, published on Wednesday.

Grave violations against children – which include killing and maiming, the recruitment or use of children by armed forces or armed groups, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools or hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access – surged by 6.45% in 2025 from already record-breaking levels the year before.

“Children are facing unprecedented levels of violence. We know that many violations go unreported and that the true scale of these violations in armed conflict is likely much higher,” said Lindsey Hutchison, Plan International’s Head of Global Humanitarian Policy, Advocacy and Diplomacy.

“The increase in verified violations, despite constrained humanitarian access and significant cuts to the system that tracks them, clearly shows how severe the situation for children in armed conflict is.”

The UN verified 38,558 grave violations in 2025 and violations affected 24,174 children, the highest number of children affected by grave violations since the beginning of the mandate 30 years ago.

“A single grave violation against a child is one too many. Unfortunately, crimes against children have become the norm in conflicts around the world. This trend shows no sign of slowing down. Children are still coming under attack on a massive scale in 2026,” said Hutchison.

“Every child, wherever they live and whoever they are, should have the right to safety, schooling, and survival. The world should not continue to look away while a generation of children grows up amid relentless violence and fear.”

“Plan International’s support to children in conflict settings typically combines the provision of education, psychosocial support and child protection services. In some contexts, we work on programs and advocacy designed to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups as well as to support the reintegration of children into the community.

“Given the growing vulnerability of children in conflict settings, we must collectively do more. We urge donors and governments to increase funding for child protection, education and recovery services,” said Hutchison.

“In conflicts around the world, our teams have called on armed actors to uphold the rights of children. At a time when the rules-based international order is under growing strain, the world must do far more to protect children and defend International Humanitarian Law. We refuse to accept that we should live in a world where it is acceptable to kill children.”

Children never start wars, but they suffer the most. To support children affected by war in Lebanon and other global crises, visit  plancanada.ca/donate/children-in-crisis.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships with and for children for over 85 years and is active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind, or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists, and we will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

Media contact

Plan International Canada
PR & Communications
PRteam@plancanada.ca