Kids in war zones the focus of 2015 3FM Serious Request

The NPO 3FM Serious Request performance is going to attract attention to children and young adults in the war torn areas of greatest conflicts, the show's DJ Paul Rabbering announced on Sunday. Fundraising to assist those children will be the focus of this year's Glass House marathon radio broadcast, taking place later this year in Heerlen. The Red Cross of the Netherlands partners up with 3FM for the Dutch broadcast. They emphasized such conflict areas as Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Gaza and the West Bank. Young people and children living in those areas are witnessing a state of "silent emergency," says the Red Cross. Children and adolescents in conflict areas deserve a future, believes 3FM station manager Wilbert Mutsaers. "They are silent victims of war. A major conflict deprives them of schooling and future prospects," said Mutsaers. "They should have the opportunity to develop into problem solvers, builders, innovators and thinkers, so they can later contribute to a better future of their country." Nearly 50 million children and adolescents in conflict areas are deprived of school education or vocational training, according to Red Cross' estimates.