A Review of the Effects of Armed Conflict on Children - Psychological Implications.

Abstract

The end of the 20th century ushered in wars and armed conflict between nations and civil strife within nations. War as used in this paper refers to armed conflict between two or more governments or states. Report shows that more than the world’s children are suffering extreme deprivations from poverty, war and HIV/AIDS and these are conditions that effectively deny children a childhood and hinder the development of nations. (UNICEF, 2004). Among many countries that have experienced one form of conflict, this paper tried to review the experiences of children during armed conflict in Nepal, Columbia and Nigeria. The review also delved into the impact of armed conflict on health, nutrition and education of children and further, outlined some international research findings that reflect the Psychological health of children during armed conflict. In the concluding part, the Psychological implications conflicts on children were outlined and recommendations were given.