Winter has arrived in war-torn Syria, with terrible consequences for children and families.
When civil war broke out earlier this year, many Syrian children fled their homes with only summer clothing. Now they are in temporary shelters and in desperate need of something warmer to wear as winter closes in.
UNICEF is sourcing 100,000 children’s clothing kits and around 160,000 blankets, along with other winter supplies for displaced children in Syria and surrounding countries.
There is concern about the impact winter will have on children’s health, including increased risk of respiratory conditions. Children are already fragile from the ongoing stress associated with displacement and violence.
"Temperatures are falling fast, down to 5 degrees Celsius this week with expected lows around freezing point. We urgently need to get clothing and other essential items to the most vulnerable children, no matter where they are," said Ettie Higgins of UNICEF Syria.
Clothing kits containing thermal underwear, long trousers, a woolen sweater, socks, woolen gloves and hat, shoes and a winter jacket are going to be supplied for some 75,000 vulnerable children inside the country.
Blankets will be also distributed, including 11,000 baby blankets for infants. We have already prepared half a million school bags, each containing stationary, so children can continue their education within refugee camps.
UNICEF urgently needs an additional £50m to support its emergency response in Syria.
