23 March 2018- Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The war on children in Syria continues relentlessly and with no mercy.
“Across Idlib, 1 million children live amid escalating violence and attacks. UNICEF is calling on those fighting in Idlib to spare children the fate and horrors of children in East Ghouta, Afrin and other parts of Syria.
“We received reports that an underground shelter where children have taken refuge has come under attack earlier this week. Even shelters are no longer safe in this war-torn country.
“Heavy violence -just 300 metres from a UNICEF-supported school in Idlib, forced children attending classes to seek shelter nearby. The building was then hit. 17 children were reportedly killed.
“Those fighting in Syria and those with influence over them have from the first day of the conflict completely disregarded all laws and all rules meant to protect children.
“Schools, hospitals, children’s homes, playgrounds and parks have all come under attack in the past seven years in Syria. Since 2011, 309 education facilities were attacked. Some teachers and education staff came under attack while in the line of duty serving children who were enjoying being at school with their friends.
“Attacks on children and civilian infrastructure are a violation of basic laws of war.
“The protection of children under all circumstances is non-negotiable. The war on children, the war on humanity, cannot become a new norm.
“Children today or in the future will hold us all accountable if we don’t stop the war on children.”
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UNICEF Response
- On March 20, UNICEF reached some 7,000 people who had fled Eastern Ghouta, about half of them children, with water, health and nutrition supplies for the first time in almost five years.
- UNICEF is working to respond to the needs of 200,000 people who have left East Ghouta for the collective shelters, as well as inside East Ghouta, with nutrition and medical supplies, clothing, water and hygiene kits.
- UNICEF and partners have deployed mobile protection teams to provide psychological first aid, case management and psychosocial support including recreational activities.
- UNICEF has provided the Aleppo Department of Health with health and nutrition supplies to meet the needs of over 25,000 children and mothers from Afrin.
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Notes for editors:
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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.