The UN Chief Antonio Guterres revealed Tuesday that the number of people caught up in conflicts and their humanitarian aftershocks skyrocketed last year.
During a UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, Guterres said that the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is a major cause of civilian deaths.
In 2022, the United Nations tallied a 53 percent increase in civilian deaths compared to the year prior, with nearly 17,000 civilian deaths recorded in 12 conflicts.
UN research into the treatment of civilians in war zones showed 94 percent of victims of "explosive weapons" in populated areas were civilians last year, while more than 117 million people faced acute hunger primarily because of war and insecurity.
In Ukraine, which has been battling Russia's invasion for over a year, the UN recorded nearly 8,000 civilian deaths and over 12,500 injuries, though it added that the actual figures are likely higher.
"Worldwide, the number of refugees forced from their homes, due to conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution has reached 100 million", the UN chief added.
"The rise in civilians killed in armed conflicts last year is "very troubling," he added.
Guterres concluded his statment by demanding that those who commit war crimes be held to account.
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