World Day of War Orphans: History and Significance

Several estimates suggest that millions of children have been orphaned and a vast majority of them survive with one parent, grandparents or other family members. It has been found that the number of orphans is considerably higher in places affected by wars and epidemics. Every year, January 6 is observed as World Day of War Orphans in order to raise awareness about children who have lost their parents and loved ones in war. The main objective is to shed a light on their lives and make people aware of the emotional, social and physical trauma that they face. 

History of World Day of War Orphans 
The concept of the World Day of War Orphans was initiated and established by a French Organisation ‘OS Enfants en Detresses.’ It works for the welfare of children in distress in war-torn regions. An orphan is a child without a surviving parent to take care of him/her, or a child who is alone due to abandonment. According to UNICEF, there are millions of children who have been orphaned through war in the last few years, specifically in certain regions of militant Africa, war-torn Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Latin America. Although international NGOs strive for saving and protecting these kids, many are still unreported and lost. However, the rate of total orphans has shown a consistent decline of 0.7% since 2001. 

Significance of this day 
In any war, uprising, revolution, etc. the most vulnerable part of society is children. The number of orphans in the developed side of the world is significantly less in comparison to the war-torn areas where the expectation of being raised by two parents in a stable environment is not always met. The World Day of War Orphans reminds the international community that providing care and support to children in war should be made the utmost priority. Estranged kids need to be treated with love and compassion in order to heal from the mental wounds of war. It is also necessary to imbibe as much normalcy into their childhood since displaced children are often forced to leave all familiarity to start their lives over again. This day also recognises the struggle of those who have lost parents and caregivers in modern-day crisis like the coronavirus pandemic.