UNITED NATIONS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA) killed and maimed more than 23,000 children between 2018 and 2022, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

"Explosive weapons were responsible for nearly half of the more than 47,500 instances of children killed and maimed that were verified by the United Nations, in more than 24 conflict zones globally," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The vast majority of these instances occurred in populated areas."

He cited a study by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) released in connection with the first international follow-up conference to the political declaration on the use of EWIPA, which was adopted in Dublin in November 2022.

"This will provide a crucial opportunity to better protect children, their families, and communities from armed conflict," Dujarric said.

The UNICEF study showed that in the five years up to 2022, explosive weapons killed or seriously injured almost twice as many children as were killed or injured by gunshots and other firearms.

"The evidence is irrefutable," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban. "When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, children suffer profoundly, not just physically but in every aspect of their lives."

He said the UNICEF study also illustrates the progress that could be made with meaningful action to prevent the weapons use in populated areas.

Endorsed by more than 85 countries, the Dublin declaration commits states to take steps to avoid civilian harm when conducting military operations in populated areas.

"Thousands of young lives are abruptly ended or forever altered each year," said Chaiban. "Beyond children's physical injuries and scars lie additional, often less visible, psychological, educational, and social impacts, that can persist throughout their lifetimes, creating cycles of hardship and suffering." Enditem

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