Over half of Ukrainian children displaced by war: UN

Displaced children make up nearly half of the over 10 million people who have been forced to flee their homes since the invasion began

More than half of all children in Ukraine have been displaced from their homes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, the United Nations said Thursday.

"One month of war in Ukraine has led to the displacement of 4.3 million children -- more than half of the country's estimated 7.5 million child population," the UN children's agency Unicef said.

More than 1.8 million children have fled Ukraine as refugees, while another 2.5 million are now displaced inside their war-ravaged country, the UN said.

"This is a grim milestone that could have lasting consequences for generations to come," she warned.

Her comments came a month after Russian tanks rolled over the border, bringing a conflict that has already killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians.

The UN has also decried that the conflict is taking a devastating toll on civilian infrastructure and access to basic services.

The World Health Organization has verified 64 attacks on health care, including on hospitals, clinics and ambulances, since the invasion began.

The UN children's agency estimated that 1.4 million people now lack access to safe water, while 4.6 million people have limited access to water or are at risk of being cut-off.

Unicef also cautioned that it is already observing a reduction in vaccination coverage for routine and childhood immunisation, including for measles and polio.

The UN agency reiterated its appeal for an immediate ceasefire and for the protection of children from harm.

"In just a few weeks, the war has wrought such devastation for Ukraine's children," Russell said.

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Originally published as Over half of Ukrainian children displaced by war: UN