Children in Crisis

Amid roadside restaurants and bustling crowds in one of Herat’s busiest markets, 10-year-old Wakeel is working as a shoeshine boy. Until recently, he had never stepped foot inside a school, instead roaming the street of his city, equipped with a simple brush and several small glass bottles filled with shoe polish, working 11-hour days to provide an income for his family.

My name is Reem*, I am 13 years old. I am displaced from a town in northwest Syria. I have four brothers and sisters who I consider my children because I am the one who takes care of them, raises them and I am responsible for them in all aspects. They are Noor*, 10, Raya*, 9, Abdullah*, 4, little Samar*, one year and a half.

I used to live happily with my family until my father passed away. But at that time my mother was our support system and she sought to be our mother and father.

As violent clashes in Sudan continue, UNICEF and the child-focused NGOs World Vision and Save the Children are highlighting the danger to children if the current ceasefire is not respected by all parties. Millions of vulnerable girls and boys need immediate humanitarian assistance, and all children need to be protected from harm.

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