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Stop Bombing Civilians

Bombing civilians isn’t war, it’s a crime. At Humanity & Inclusion, we want to put an end to the bombing of civilians and stop innocent people from being injured and killed by these indiscriminate acts of violence. Join the campaign to Stop Bombing Civilians.

Stop Bombing Civilians logo

© Tom Shelton/HI

Increasingly, armed conflicts are taking place in populated urban areas, where explosive weapons are being used on a massive scale, killing and injuring thousands of civilians.

Analysis over the last 10 years shows that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas a shocking 90% of casualties are civilians. In 2020 alone, 18,747 people were killed or injured by explosive weapons. The death toll keeps on rising.

So many people have been left injured or disabled with their lives and livelihoods completely ruined. It is our mission at Humanity & Inclusion to ensure that these innocent victims of conflict are not forgotten and to put an end to the indiscriminate bombing of towns and cities.

Civilians in countries including Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan are innocent victims of war - children, men and women who are going about their daily lives when these bombs strike. They end up traumatised, severely injured and many have to endure the loss of parents or loved ones.

Children like Kamal, 15, from Syria:

At Humanity & Inclusion, we want to stop more innocent people like Kamal being hurt. We are determined to stop the bombing of civilians, but we need your help.

If you want to join our huge people-powered movement to Stop Bombing Civilians, the first thing you can do is to sign our petition now.

With your help in signing the petition, sharing it with your friends and posting it on social media, we can make our message heard in the UK and around the world.

Together, we can make a difference.

Hala, aged 4, in a rehabilitation session. She lost her leg in a bombing in Yemen Hala, aged 4, in a rehabilitation session. She lost her leg in a bombing in Yemen Hala, aged 4, in a rehabilitation session. She lost her leg in a bombing in Yemen Hala, aged 4, in a rehabilitation session. She lost her leg in a bombing in Yemen

© ISNA Agency/HI

About the campaign

Stop Bombing Civilians is Humanity & Inclusion’s campaign to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Bombing civilians isn’t war, it’s a crime. These weapons rip through families, homes, and hospitals. They destroy people’s lives, their hopes, and their future.

We want to put an end to the bombing of civilians and stop innocent people from being injured and killed by these indiscriminate acts of violence.

What are we asking for?

In the last 5 years, Humanity & Inclusion has been pushing for States to Stop Bombing Civilians.

In Novermber 2022, over 80 states, including the UK, came together in Dublin to adopt a new international agreement to better protect civilians against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The agreement is the culmination of a three-year diplomatic process led by Ireland to negotiate a declaration to ensure the protection of civilians and ensure stricter implementation of international humanitarian law.

Having this new international agreement on urban bombing adopted by 80 States provides hope for the future. It is a recognition that the continued, heavy toll on civilians from bombing and shelling in cities and towns is unacceptable. States must start working immediately towards effective implementation of their commitments

States that endorse the declaration must now, without delay, begin the process of implementation. This includes developing policies and practices which limit the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and ensure that the protection of civilians is prioritised.

What can you do?

You can sign the petition, write to your MP, and help spread the word by sharing a selfie on social media. Are you part of a group, club or school? Then why not get others involved too by encouraging everyone to sign and share!

You could also support the victims of conflict directly, by fundraising towards our work, or by making a donation today.

For a child injured in conflict, the care Humanity & Inclusion’s teams provide is life-changing. But we can’t do it without you.

Please help us bring hope and vital support to innocent children and families who are facing unimaginable loss.


Ways to take action

Sign our petition to stop bombing civilians and help us to reach 1 million signatures.

Email your MP demanding action on the bombing of innocent civilians and help Humanity & Inclusion to get our message heard.

    There are so many ways that you can take action to support the forgotten victims of conflict. By holding your own fundraising event, you will be making a real difference.


Voices of the victims

Malak was at home in Syria with her brother and sisters when they were hit by a bombing during an air strike.

Mohammed, aged 9, was left injured after a bomb hit his home in Syria during the conflict.

Caught in a bombing in Mosul, Iraq, one-year-old Ali suffered severe injuries and the loss of his parents


Learn more about the issue

Bombing impacts civilians in multiple ways – find out more about how the lives of innocent people are affected.

Bombing populated areas destroys vital public structures such as bridges, ports and hospitals, severely affecting communities.

Humanity & Inclusion's Head of Advocacy explains the political process that could end the bombing of civilians.