Governments, on Thursday, were urged to do more to protect children from the effects of war and serious violence, after a new report suggested record numbers were living in a conflict zone.

Save the Children said wars were becoming more dangerous for children, with youngsters facing an increased risk of death and injury, being recruited by armed groups or sexual abuse.

“It’s staggering that the world stands by while children are targeted with impunity,” the charity’s chief executive Inger Ashing said in a statement to accompany the report.

“Since 2005, at least 95,000 children were recorded to have been killed or maimed, tens of thousands of children abducted, and millions of children denied access to education or health services after their hospitals were attacked.”

Ashing warned that “the destruction of children’s lives” will continue if nothing is done and those responsible for crimes are not brought to account.