Suffer the little children. It is ever the way, from Rwanda to Gaza

The phrase "Suffer the little children" is a quote from the Bible, specifically from the book of Matthew (19:14), where Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." However, this phrase has taken on a different meaning in the context of war and conflict.

Children are often the most vulnerable victims in times of war and conflict. According to UNICEF, an estimated 250 million children live in areas affected by armed conflict worldwide. In such situations, they face various forms of violence, including physical harm, sexual violence, recruitment into armed forces or armed groups, and separation from families.

One notable example of children suffering in conflict is in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, where an estimated 12,000 children were killed, representing about 10% of all child deaths during that period. The children were targeted due to their ethnicity or because they were orphans left vulnerable in the chaos of the violence.

Another ongoing example is in Gaza, where children have been disproportionately affected by the repeated conflicts between Israel and Hamas. According to Save the Children, more than 500 Palestinian children have been killed since 2000, and thousands more have been injured or displaced. The impact of these conflicts goes beyond physical harm, with long-term psychological effects on children's mental health and development.

Children in conflict zones also face other challenges such as lack of access to education, malnutrition, and lack of basic necessities like clean water and sanitation. For instance, in Syria's ongoing conflict, an estimated 2.5 million children are out of school, and over 1 million have been displaced from their homes.

In conclusion, the phrase "Suffer the little children" takes on a poignant meaning when we consider the reality that children are often the ones who suffer the most in times of war and conflict. They are not the instigators or combatants but rather innocent victims caught up in the violence. The impact of war on children goes beyond the immediate physical harm and includes long-term psychological effects and lack of access to basic necessities like education and healthcare.