For many weeks now, terrible images have circled the globe showing desperate people scrambling through ditches, barbed wire and making use of almost any type of floating craft to escape relentless brutality in war-torn areas.

Some have been pepper sprayed with tear gas by police, who have tried to stop the human surge of thousands seeking a better life.

Brave journalists are putting themselves at risk to capture for the world what has become one of the most shocking migration episodes in modern history. Men, women and children — yes, children of all ages — are unmercifully swept up in a sea of humanitarian madness.

World powers and the United Nations seem powerless to resolve the conflict behind this tragedy.

There has been indescribable suffering with many dying at sea and others jammed so tight in vehicles by human smugglers that a lack of oxygen, plus gas fumes, have claimed many victims.

There is no solution in sight for violence in a civil war aimed mainly at keeping a dictator in power.

Apart from the many thousands of families that have been uprooted and torn apart by daily bombing by Syrian government forces, there are thousands of innocent children who have become a tragedy within a tragedy.

There is certainly nothing more heartbreaking than to watch a mother trying to protect her infant amid a crowd that has almost gone berserk, while trying to board a train or bus to reach another country.

One report told of a woman said to be many months pregnant with twins, who was forced to battle her way through a crowd at a check point to get closer to freedom. One can only wonder how that story turned out.

Even with journalists from around the world covering this tragic event, there are surely many sad stories that may never be told.

Expressions often tell a story and so many children have a blank stare that mirrors bewilderment and fear as they are carried, dragged and pulled in the rush by parents or guardians. After days without food and water, travelling day and night, only to discover wire fencing that prevents progress would shatter the spirit of any human.

What is even worse is that little children who should be watching cartoons and playing games with friends are plunged into a life of terror that could have a lasting impact on how they see the world.

Some of these children undoubtedly will be mentally scarred for life, especially those who experienced bombing and loss of family members.

Much of the world can only watch this tragedy within a tragedy, and hope that something will be done to save children from such suffering — not only in the Middle East but in other regions where power-thirsty groups battle with little regard for youth.

Children the world over, no matter what race, religion or ethnic origin desire a life with family in an atmosphere of peace.

How many more tragedies will it take to eradicate the kind of hatred that leads to savage fighting which has no regard for the damage done to the next generation?

The world awaits an answer.