According to the 2008 WHO/UNICEF World report on child injury prevention, "Injury and violence are a major killer of children throughout the world, responsible for approximately 950 000 deaths in children and young people under the age of 18 years each year. That is more than 100 children dying needlessly every hour of every day. Unintentional injuries, including road traffic injuries, falls, burns, poisoning and drowning, account for almost 90% of these cases. Road traffic injuries alone are the leading cause of death among 15–19 year olds and the second leading cause among 5–14 year olds."

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the burden of unintentional child injuries is one of the highest in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The Eastern Mediterranean Region endures about 12% of all unintentional injury deaths of the world in those under 20 years of age, again differentially affecting the disadvantaged sections of the society.