UNICEF has reported that half a million children continue to be at risk in Tripoli due to violence that started on August 27. "The increasing violence in Tripoli, Libya is endangering thousands of children. Eight kids were killed over the past weeks and thousands of families have been displaced," said the executive director of UNICEF, Henrietta Ford, on Twitter.
''We ask all sides at war to stop the violence'', added Ford.
Migrant minors are increasingly suffering
''For children on the move transiting through Libya, this violence is increasing their already deep suffering,'' said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement. ''Hundreds of detained refugees and migrants, including children, were forced to move because of the violence. Others are stranded in centers in dire conditions''
Cappelaere stressed that ''UNICEF has been working to provide emergency relief to those children and continues to advocate for their release.'' The organization, he said, urges ''all parties to the conflict in Libya to protect children at all times. The way out of the recent fighting and the crisis in Libya is not through violence but through diplomacy and a political agreement, with the interest of children at the very center.''
Eight children killed since the start of violence
Cappelaere expressed shock and sadness following ''reports that an entire family killed including two children today in Tripoli when a missile hit their home. This brings the total number of children killed to eight, since violence escalated in Tripoli on 27 August. Many more children are facing multiple grave child rights violations.'' According to reports, he continued, ''more children are being recruited to fight, putting them in immediate danger. At least one child was killed as a result.'' ''Over 1,200 families have been displaced in the past 48 hours alone as clashes intensified in southern Tripoli, bringing the total number of displaced to over 25,0001. UNICEF estimates half are children.''
Moreover, ''a shortage of food water and electricity is among the daily challenges facing children and families.'' ''The country is facing an outbreak of measles, with over 500 cases reported - most of which are among children. A growing lack of fully functioning health services will only result in more cases of measles. More schools are being used to shelter displaced families, which is likely to delay the start of the school year planned for October 3,'' the statement concluded.