Despite heavy fighting in Syria over the past week, UNICEF is continuing to deliver essential aid to thousands of children and families.
Since January 2012, UNICEF and its partners in Syria have reached 190,000 people with humanitarian assistance, including more than 145,000 children.
Recent violence has forced many to abandon their homes and move into specially-opened schools and mosques.
On Saturday, UNICEF sent supplies and food to four schools housing displaced people. The supplies were sufficient for 1,200 families.
Efforts to reach two other locations were unsuccessful due to the security situation.
Last Wednesday, in coordination with UNRWA, the UN relief agency, UNICEF delivered a truckload of supplies to displaced families in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp – an area which has seen particularly heavy fighting.
UNICEF plans to deliver hygiene kits and other supplies to some 10,600 people, mainly women and children, who are sheltering in schools across Damascus. This number will be rapidly increased once security issues improve.
"The situation is still evolving and security concerns for our staff and partners are a continuous challenge," said Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, who works for UNICEF Syria.
He added: "The needs among children and families displaced by the violence of recent days are enormous, whether in food, water, sanitation or other basic supplies. We are doing our utmost to respond, using whatever means we have at our disposal."
