With children continuing to be tortured, maimed, imprisoned, starved, sexually abused and killed in armed conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called on all countries to back their words with concrete actions to end such violations.

“In places such as Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, children suffer through a living hell,” the UN chief said as he opened the Security Council’s debate on children and armed conflict.

Mr. Ban said that more than half of the world’s refugees are also children, underscoring the need to urgently address the root causes of displacement while at the same time tackle the crisis.

The Secretary-General drew attention to a UN summit on refugees and migrants set for 19 September, urging all governments to bring ideas and commitments – with a special focus on protecting children.

Mr. Ban noted that children are victimized in counterterrorism operations and aerial bombardments.

 “Even wars have rules. Hospitals and schools should be protected. Civilians should be spared. Children should not be used to fight,” he said.

Turning to his annual report on children and armed conflict, he said that once again this year, objections to the annual report forced him to make a difficult decision. After “very careful consideration,” the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen was removed from the report’s annexes, pending the conclusions of a review, the UN chief said, reiterating however that “the content of the report stands”.

Mr. Ban said that he held talks with Saudi Arabia at the highest level possible and that he has since received information on measures taken by the coalition to prevent and end grave violations against children. “But I still have very strong concerns about the protection of Yemeni children,” he said.