Charity: Effects of war kill 300 babies every day

Starvation, disease and a lack of aid are killing 300 babies a day in warzones around the world, with the number of children caught up in conflicts nearing a 30-year high, Save the Children said on Friday (Feb. 14).

Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Syria were among the worst conflict zones for children in 2017, the charity concluded from an analysis of UN data for the five years to the end of that year.

In all, more than 500,000 babies died during the period from the knock-on effects of conflict - hunger, hospital attacks and reduced aid - according to the data, which excludes those killed in attacks.

"From Yemen to Syria and South Sudan, children are bearing the horror of armed conflict," said Kevin Watkins, head of Save the Children, in a statement.

Children there are at risk of malnutrition, diarrhoea, cholera, and diphtheria - a disease that spreads as easily as the common cold, said Save the Children.

"The war on children must end, and those who commit crimes against children will be held to account," he added.

Last month, Freezing temperatures and the lack of medical care have killed at least 15 displaced Syrian children in the Rukban camp and Hajin in Syria, according to UNICEF.

Based on Reuters