Forgotten 10 Challenge

In December 2015, 5-year-old Malak was at home in Syria, eating sweets with her brother and sisters when the room they were in took a direct hit during an air strike.

One of Malak’s legs was fractured, the other blown off. Her brother was severely burned and blinded; the youngest, just 8 months old, died in a hospital on the Jordanian border.

Thanks to the support of our team in Jordan, today little Malak is making remarkable progress. As well as running around on her new prosthetic leg, she is slowly overcoming the trauma of that terrible day.

But there are many more innocent children like Malak who are at risk. In Syria alone, more than 2 million children are in danger, living with the daily threat from explosive weapons. Take action now

Devastating impact on civilians

Explosive weapons include mortars, rockets, missiles, artillery shells, air-dropped bombs, and improvised explosive devices. They also include landmines and cluster munitions, both of which are banned by international treaties.

These weapons kill and cause serious injuries such as burns, amputations, and complex fractures, leading to disabilities and long-term psychological trauma. They trap communities in fear, deepen poverty and act as a lethal barrier to development.

When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, a shocking 92% of casualties are civilians.

In 2017, over 31,000 civilians were killed or injured by explosive weapons. This figure represents a shocking 165% increase over the past seven years.  Civilians in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan have been particularly badly affected.

Raise your voice

From 1st to 10th December, people across the UK will be taking part in the Forgotten 10 Challenge. By joining the campaign you can help to ensure that the victims of conflict are not forgotten.

Whether you join in as an individual or as part of your local club, group, or school, you could make a huge difference. Every event organised, every pound raised, and every petition signed helps!

With the number of people at risk from explosive weapons in countries like Syria and Yemen increasing, it is more important than ever that we take a stand to protect civilians.