Unicef display shows scale of child deaths in conflict zones

An installation at the U.N. headquarters features backpacks representing children killed in conflict zones, in New York on Monday.

NEW YORK — Unicef arranged 3,758 little blue backpacks in rows reminiscent of a graveyard at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sunday, to represent the number of children reported to have been killed in conflict zones around the world last year.

A U.N. report on children and armed conflicts has verified that more than 12,000 children were either killed or injured in conflict zones last year. However, the figure is likely to be even higher. Unicef says that children always pay the heaviest price in wars.

The backpack installation was to be displayed until Tuesday. The backpacks will be donated to children in need in countries and territories around the world.