30 May 2019 – “Tens of thousands of children in northwest Syria are at imminent risk of injury, death and displacement because of a significant escalation in fighting. Violence has intensified over the past few days, especially in villages in northern Hama and southern Idlib.
“Many families have been driven from their homes again, while others are unable to move to safer areas, hemmed in by the fighting.
“This latest escalation follows months of rising violence in the area which has reportedly left at least 134 children dead and more than 125,000 displaced since the start of the year. Nearly 30 hospitals have come under attack and the spike in violence has forced some of UNICEF’s healthcare partners to suspend their lifesaving operations. Approximately 43,000 children are now out of school and final exams in parts of Idlib have been postponed, affecting the education of 400,000 students.
“UNICEF’s partners are on the ground in the northwest, working to reach children and families with mobile health clinics, immunisation and nutrition services, psychosocial support and water and sanitation supplies. But these are quick fixes that can go only so far in mitigating the humanitarian fallout from such brutal and gratuitous violence.
“Children bear no responsibility for this war, yet they suffer its carnage and consequences more than anyone.
“Parties to the conflict in the northwest and across Syria should make every effort to protect children and the infrastructure they depend on, including hospitals and schools. Parties and those who have influence over them should also forge a comprehensive and lasting peace that finally brings this war to an end – for the sake of Syria’s children and the very future of the country and the region.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Murdoch, 020 7375 6179, [email protected]
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