Myanmar: Attack leaves 35 dead, including 4 children |
The United Nations agency was “shocked and saddened” by the reported killing and burning of victims on December 24, as many were preparing for Christmas.
Credible reports that four children were killed, including two 17-year-old boys, an adolescent girl and a child about five years old, were not identified by gender.
Two humanitarians who have worked for a non-governmental organization (NGO) save children, confirmed their deaths.
They were killed on their return to the NGO’s Loikaw office after responding to humanitarian needs in a nearby community.
Urgent action
In a statement, UNICEF The director of the East Asia and Pacific region, Debora Comini, condemned the attack.
She reminded that the protection of civilians – especially children and humanitarian workers – must be considered a priority in times of conflict, consistent with international humanitarian law and Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Myanmar is a signatory.
“UNICEF calls for urgent action to investigate this reprehensible incident and hold those responsible accountable,” she said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our colleagues at Save children“.