The children are taught to kill without thought and are deprived of moral direction. Education is seldom provided for combatants, creating large populations of illiterate children. While soldiers are often provided food and some health care, little if any thought or preparation is made for the eventual demobilization of forces. If a child is lucky enough to survive combat, they are frequently left with emotional scars, no education, and little opportunity to return to a normal life following hostilities. For those children not in the military, war creates just as many dangers.
War creates refugees.
Those children left with their families are often forced to flee their homes. Children as refugees are subject to attack by enemy forces. They are often forced to walk for days without adequate water or food, becoming malnourished and prone to disease. Once in refugee camps, children are still at risk due to the traditional power and social structures. Men are traditionally in charge of the food and water distribution.