Study calls for more focus on children in crisis regions for peace and stability

Investment in child protection for sustainable foreign policy

The situation of children in crisis areas such as Iraq is increasingly becoming a challenge for the international community. A current study carried out in cooperation with the Save the Children organization illuminates the insufficient investments in child protection in the context of German foreign policy. This meaning has far -reaching implications for stability in conflict regions.

The author of the study, political scientist Sofie Lilli Stoffel, examined over 1,000 projects in Iraq between 2018 and 2022 and found that only 8.5 percent of the funds were spent on children, although this group is around 50 percent of the Iraqi population. According to Stoffel, this is an alarming sign of neglecting young people in political decisions. "An effective security policy cannot afford to hide such a large population group," she explains.

The relevance of these findings goes beyond Iraq. Children in conflicts are often extremely vulnerable. According to Lea Meyer, an expert in humanitarian matters at Save the Children, many Iraqi children are exposed to violence, exclusion and abuse. "Children in refugee camps in particular suffer from inadequate protection.

The study calls for a rethink in German foreign policy: a child -oriented approach must form the basis of future engagements in crisis areas. This includes measures such as psychosocial support and programs for deradicalization that specifically respond to the needs of children. In addition, an increase in financial resources is required for humanitarian aid and crisis prevention, since planned budget cuts endanger the already fragile protective structures.

This issue is particularly pressing in the Light of Global Trends - in many areas of conflict, the populations are mostly young. "It is time for the federal government to rethink their foreign policy and put children at the center of their strategies," emphasizes Meyer. The prevailing policies are not only bad for the immediate children, but could also have long -term consequences for regional and global stability.

In summary, it can be said that the protection of children in crisis areas is not only a moral obligation, but also a strategic necessity. A development that focuses on children in conflict regions could not only lead to better protection, but also promote peace and stability in the long term.

Notes for the editorial team:

• Save the Children is one of the largest independent child rights organizations worldwide and has been active for over 100 years.
• The commitment to child protection in crisis areas is a central part of their work.

The knowledge of the study is therefore not only important for Iraq, but can also serve as a valuable basis for the development of strategies in other crisis regions in which children are also among the main suffering.