26 October 2017 – The coming winter is the latest threat to children affected by crises in the Middle East. As Unicef races to provide warm clothing, winter supplies and blankets before the cold sets in, the organisation is facing a $60 million gap that could leave up to 1.5 million children exposed to the cold.

Freezing temperatures, storms and heavy snowfall will compound the many hardships faced by families affected by conflict who are already struggling to survive with the bare minimum across Iraq, Syria, the State of Palestine and neighbouring refugee host countries. Many have been displaced by violence and live in camps or makeshift shelters, with little protection against the piercing cold.

Families’ resources are completely depleted from years of conflict, displacement and unemployment, making the purchase of warm clothing and heating fuel unaffordable. If schools are not kept warm, dropout rates are expected to rise.

“Without help, the cold could be yet another harsh blow to vulnerable children in the region who have already been through so much,” said Geert Cappelaere, Unicef Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Children’s health is weak from undernutrition, poor healthcare and displacement. Hypothermia and respiratory infections are a serious threat – if left untreated, children will die.”

Ahead of winter, Unicef aims to provide:
•Winter clothing kits to over 800,000 children across the region, including to families that have been displaced by recent fighting,
•Cash assistance to the families of more than 320,000 vulnerable children,
•Child friendly spaces and school heating for 105,000 children,
•Thermal blankets for almost 240,000 children.

To date, Unicef has received less than 20 per cent of the US$73 million required to cover the winter needs of the most vulnerable children affected by crisis in the region.

—ENDS—

Notes to editors:
• This winter, Unicef aims to reach over 1.5 million children in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the State of Palestine and Syria with warm clothes, thermal blankets and cash assistance for families.
• Unicef’s assistance for winter will include school heating, warm clothes, school uniforms and cash assistance to vulnerable children and their families across the region.
• To reach children ahead of the cold, Unicef has begun distributing winter kits where possible – including clothes, scarves, gloves, shoes and warm blankets and cash assistance packages – but efforts have been slowed by the substantial funding gap.

For more information please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk