MANILA, Philippines?The United Nations Children?s Fund expressed alarm Friday over the rising number of children suffering from diarrhea in Mindanao conflict areas.

In a statement, UNICEF urged ?all parties in the conflict to take utmost care to uphold the rights of civilians especially women and children, including allowing their safe passage out of conflict zones.?

UNICEF promised to spend $500,000 (or about P24 million) in the next three months to help children affected by the conflict, focusing on providing safe water in evacuation centers. It will also provide bath cubicles for girls and women.

?It is estimated that half a million people have been affected by the latest fighting in Mindanao, and we know that more than half of these will be children,? UNICEF country representative Vanessa Tobin said in the statement.

But diarrhea among children was just one problem.

UNICEF said that some parents had ?noted signs of distress among their young children? because of the conflict.

?These children may have witnessed killing or injuring of family members or may even have been attacked themselves. Even the distress of having to suddenly leave their homes and belongings can be very upsetting for young children,? Tobin said.

The statement promised to help these children by putting up child-safe spaces to approximate normal routines like schooling and playing.