UNICEF published a statement on January 14, denouncing the bloody start of 2018 in Syria, especially for Syrian children suffering from the non-stop shelling by Assad regime and Russian aircraft in rebel-held Idlib and Rural Damascus areas.

“It is shocking that only in the first 14 days of the year more than 30 children have been killed in escalating violence in east Ghouta, where an estimated 200,000 children have been trapped under siege since 2013. In Idlib, to the northwest of the country, heavy violence reportedly killed and injured scores of children and women and displaced an estimated 100,000 civilians in the past few weeks", the statement said.

The statement also condemned the silent international community stand of the war in Syria, “It is shameful that nearly seven years into the conflict, a war on children continues while the world watches."

UNICEF talked about the humanitarian situation inside Eastern Ghouta reporting that "people are taking shelter underground in fear for their lives, and two medical facilities came under attack in the past days in eastern Ghouta, while most health centers had to close because of the bombardment", and confirming that "mobile emergency clinics are the only way for families to receive medical treatment and aid."

The statement also condemned the reported attacks against residential buildings in eastern Ghouta and the maternity and pediatric hospital in Ma’arrat al-Nu’man, that was attacked three times taking it out of service and killing at least one patient and two medical staff.

Finally, the statement urged various parties to the conflict in Syria to allow access of humanitarian assistance to children in need wherever they are in Syria, confirming that "UNICEF will continue providing humanitarian assistance essential to the survival and mental well-being of children all over Syria."