By Save the Children UK | Updated 17 September 2026
Save the Children UK, Imperial College London and Archewell Philanthropies are strengthening their partnership to expand support for children recovering from life-changing blast injuries, including access to advanced prosthetics, rehabilitation and long-term care. The renewed commitment was marked at a special event attended by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, who highlighted the urgent need to support children injured in conflict.
The partnership brings together humanitarian expertise, medical research, innovation and philanthropy to address one of the most urgent but overlooked consequences of modern warfare: the long-term impact of explosive weapons on children.
The announcement was made at an event hosted by Save the Children, Imperial College London and Archewell Philanthropies, bringing together researchers, clinicians, innovators, philanthropists and humanitarian experts committed to improving outcomes for children affected by conflict.
Why this partnership matters now
Speaking at the event, Prince Harry said:
"Children should not be exposed to conflict. They should not be losing limbs to blast. But whilst children continue to suffer, I will keep working to ensure they can live life to the full. That's what this enduring partnership between Archewell Philanthropies, Save the Children and Imperial College London is all about."
His comments reflect the partnership's shared ambition to improve the long-term recovery and wellbeing of children affected by conflict.
New analysis from Save the Children found that more than 12,000 children were killed or injured by landmines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive weapons between 2020 and 2025, equivalent to more than five children every day.
At a glance
12,053 children were killed or injured by explosive ordnance between 2020 and 2025.
More than five children every day were affected.
Children accounted for nearly half of civilian casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war where age was known.
Explosive weapons remain one of the leading causes of child casualties in conflict.
Behind every statistic is a child whose life has changed forever.
Many children who survive explosions face severe injuries including amputations, burns and complex trauma. Recovery often requires years of specialist healthcare, rehabilitation and emotional support.
The hidden reality of surviving a blast injury
For many children, surviving an explosion is only the beginning.
A child who loses a limb may require multiple surgeries, ongoing physiotherapy, psychological support and replacement prosthetics as they grow. Many families living in conflict zones struggle to access these services at all.
Research supported through the Paediatric Blast Injuries Partnership has shown that children injured by explosive weapons have distinct medical needs that differ significantly from adults. To address this challenge, experts worked together to create the world's first field manual dedicated to treating paediatric blast injuries in conflict settings.
The strengthened partnership announced today aims to build on that work.
Bringing together humanitarian expertise and innovation, the collaboration will support progress across several areas:
Better prosthetic technology
Innovators are developing solutions specifically designed for children, including prosthetics that can adapt as children grow.
At the event, partners showcased emerging prosthetic innovations designed specifically for children, including technology developed to adapt as a child grows.
Improved rehabilitation
Children need much more than emergency care. Long-term rehabilitation can help restore mobility, independence and quality of life.
Research and evidence
New research will help improve treatment pathways and ensure healthcare providers have access to the latest evidence on paediatric blast injuries.
Mental health support
Recovery is both physical and emotional. Children affected by conflict often need specialist psychosocial support alongside medical care.
Together, these efforts aim to ensure children affected by conflict have the opportunity not only to survive their injuries but to rebuild their futures.
Conflict is changing and children are facing new threats
Alongside long-standing threats such as landmines and unexploded bombs, emerging technologies are transforming the way wars are fought.
Drones and AI-enabled military systems are increasingly being used in conflicts around the world. While these technologies create new military capabilities, they also present new risks for children and civilian communities.
Drone attacks can damage schools, hospitals and critical services that children depend upon. Even when children are not directly injured, the constant presence of drones can disrupt education, healthcare and everyday life.
As warfare changes, protections for children must evolve too.
What Save the Children is calling for
While innovation can improve outcomes for injured children, preventing harm must remain the priority.
Save the Children is calling on governments and the international community to:
Stop the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Strengthen protections for children affected by armed conflict.
Invest in rehabilitation and long-term support for blast-injured children.
Establish international rules for AI-enabled warfare that require meaningful human control over the use of force.
How you can help
Every child deserves the chance to recover, learn and thrive after conflict.
When a child survives a blast injury, their recovery journey can last for years. With support from people like you, Save the Children can help provide healthcare, rehabilitation, mental health support and protection services for children whose lives have been shattered by war.
Frequently asked questions:
What are paediatric blast injuries?
Paediatric blast injuries are the physical and psychological injuries that children suffer when exposed to explosive weapons such as bombs, missiles, landmines, grenades, rockets, and improvised explosive devices. These injuries can include severe burns, traumatic amputations, head injuries, organ damage, hearing loss, and long-term mental health impacts. Because children are still growing, blast injuries can affect their development and wellbeing for years after the initial incident.
Why do children need different treatment from adults?
Children are not simply smaller adults. Their bodies, organs, bones, and brains are still developing, which means they can be injured differently and often more severely by explosions. Children lose blood more quickly, require different medication doses and surgical approaches, and have distinct rehabilitation and psychological support needs. Specialist paediatric care is therefore essential to improve survival rates and long-term recovery.
How many children are injured by explosive weapons?
Explosive weapons are now the leading cause of child casualties in conflict. Research from Save the Children found that between 2020 and 2024, nearly 50,000 children were killed or injured in conflicts, with explosive weapons responsible for more than 60% of all verified child casualties. These numbers are likely to be underestimates, as many incidents go unreported.
What is the Save the Children, Imperial College London and Archewell Philanthropies partnership?
The partnership brings together Save the Children, Imperial College London, and Archewell Philanthropies to improve care for children injured in conflict. The initiative supports research into paediatric blast injuries, develops practical solutions for frontline healthcare workers, and helps distribute the world's first Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual.
It also supports the Centre of Paediatric Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, which advances research and innovation to improve treatment and recovery for children affected by war.
How can I help children affected by conflict?
You can help by donating to organisations that provide emergency medical care, rehabilitation, mental health support, and protection services for children living in conflict zones. Donations help fund life-saving treatment for injured children, support healthcare workers with specialist training and resources, and enable long-term recovery programmes that help children rebuild their lives after conflict.
