Almost 5 million children born into war in Syria, 1 million born as refugees in neighbouring countries

In the northeast, at least 28,000 children from more than 60 countries remain languishing in displacement camps, deprived of the most basic services. Only 765 children have been repatriated to their countries of origin as of January this year.

Wider impacts of almost a decade of conflict include:

• Two in five schools cannot be used because they are destroyed, damaged, sheltering displaced families or being used for military purposes;
• Over half of all health facilities are non-functional;
• More than 2.8 million children are out of school inside Syria and in neighbouring countries.
• Over two-thirds of children with physical or mental disabilities require specialized services that are unavailable in their area;
• Prices of basic items have increased 20-fold since the war began;

“The warring parties and those supporting them have failed to end the carnage in Syria,” Fore said. “Our message is clear: Stop hitting schools and hospitals. Stop killing and maiming children. Grant us the crossline and cross-border access we need to reach those in need. Far too many children have suffered for far too long.”

UNICEF works with a wide network of partners inside Syria and in neighbouring countries to provide aid to children. Just last year UNICEF was able to reach:

• Nearly 750,000 children with routine immunization or vaccination against measles;
• Over 1 million children with psychosocial support;
• Nearly 3 million children with formal and non-formal education;
• Over 5.3 million people with safe water through improvements to water supply systems;
• Nearly 2 million people with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and sanitation services.

UNICEF currently needs US$682 million to maintain these lifesaving programmes, but funding is short.

“The only solution to the crisis in Syria is through diplomatic means,” said Chaiban. “Humanitarian assistance will not end the war – but it will help keep children alive. We count on the generous support of our donors to keep supporting the children of Syria, despite all the other crises taking place in the region and around the world.”