Children in Ukraine are facing increasing disruptions to their education from air raid alarms, while reported airstrikes in Myanmar have killed and injured children at schools and healthcare facilities, UNICEF warned Tuesday.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires told reporters in Geneva that Ukrainian children have experienced an average of 34 hours of air raid alarms during school hours since the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, equivalent to more than 13% of scheduled learning time.
Alarms occurred on nearly two-thirds of school days in September and October, compared with around one-third during the same period last year.
In Dnipropetrovsk, Pirovodrad, and Kharkiv regions, more than 560,000 children experienced over 60 hours of school-time alarms, representing approximately one-quarter of scheduled learning hours.
The UN has also verified nearly 2,000 attacks on educational facilities across Ukraine, including about 270 this year.
“Children must be protected from attacks, and every child has the right to learn in safety,” Pires said, warning that an entire generation risks falling behind.
Turning to Myanmar, Pires expressed alarm over reports that an Oct. 31 airstrike hit a school serving displaced families in Loikaw Township, Kayah State, killing three children and injuring five others.
Further reported airstrikes in Rakhine State over the weekend included an attack on a temporary healthcare facility that reportedly killed a newborn baby and healthcare workers.
“Children are again bearing the brunt of conflict,” he said.
UNICEF urged all parties to protect children in accordance with international humanitarian law.
UNICEF Warns Of Worsening Threats To Children’s Education, Safety In Ukraine, Myanmar
