UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban United Nations Security Council Briefing on “Threats to international peace and security.”

“Excellencies, colleagues, thank you for inviting UNICEF to speak today. The need for this discussion could not be more urgent. The war in Ukraine continues to rage and devastate children’s lives.

“According to reports, last night drone strikes hit a dormitory housing at least 86 adolescents aged 14-18, in the town of Starobilsk in the Luhansk region. The attack reportedly left six dead and dozens of others injured, including children. It is too early to know the full extent of the casualties, as we understand rescue operations are still unfolding.

“This is yet another example of children paying the price for a war that is not of their own making.

“According to verified UN data, more than 3,400 children have now been killed or injured since the escalation of the war in 2022. Furthermore, millions of children in Ukraine continue to be affected by the unrelenting hostilities, including by living under air raids, with risk of aerial attacks, displacement, and heightened uncertainty and fear that nowhere is safe, even when they go to sleep at night.

“UNICEF reiterates the urgency for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure civilians, including children, are protected from attack. We remain concerned at the continued use of explosive weapons in populated areas, with technology such as armed drones exposing children to much suffering and traumatic events.

“In addition, the essential services that children, adolescents, and young people rely on for their survival and well-being continue to come under attack – including homes, schools, health facilities, energy and water and sanitation systems.

“We remain particularly concerned about attacks on schools, and the devastating effect it is having on students, teachers and learning in Ukraine. More than 1,780 educational facilities have been verified as damaged or destroyed since 2022. This impacts access to learning today and disrupts education for the years to come.

“During more than four years of raging war, children have also been forced to flee their homes on multiple occasions. More than a third of Ukraine’s children – 2,6 million – remain displaced, including more than 791,000 children inside Ukraine and nearly 1,8 million children outside the country. According to a recent UNICEF survey, one in three adolescents aged 15-19 reported moving at least twice, citing safety as the most common reason for fleeing. Seeking better access to education and other social services was also noted as being a driver of displacement.

“Your Excellencies,

“The constant fear of attacks, endless sheltering in basements and isolation at home with limited social connections, mean children and young people are exhausted. They need support to recover years of lost educational opportunities, lost social engagement, and to heal from unspeakable damage to their mental health and wellbeing.

“There has been an alarming increase in mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in Ukraine. A UNICEF survey in 2025 revealed that almost one third of teenager’s report feeling so sad or hopeless that it stopped them doing their usual activities, with girls particularly affected

“I would like to close with three asks to this Council,

“Firstly, there needs to be renewed commitment to ensure parties to the conflict abide by their obligations to protect children in line with international humanitarian and human rights law. Children continue to be killed and injured by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and this needs to stop.

“Secondly, we would like to echo the call for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access across Ukraine, including territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. As a neutral and impartial humanitarian actor, UNICEF remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance and protection to all children in need.

“And lastly, we need the unanimous support of this Council and member-states to use all of their leverage to facilitate a political dialogue that can help put an end to this war and provide hope for millions of children for a lasting peace.

“I thank you for the opportunity to address you today.”

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