Statement attributable to Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, on the situation in southwest Syria

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DAMASCUS/AMMAN/NEW YORK, 27 June 2018 – “Horror knows no limit in Syria, where children are yet again caught in the crossfire of the latest wave of violence in the southwest. Fighting has displaced an estimated 20,000 children and their families in just three days. Four children have reportedly been killed and many more have been injured.

“Recent attacks have severely damaged civilian infrastructure in violation of international humanitarian law, including a field hospital which is now inoperable.

“Children and families need food, hygiene, medicine and protection. Those wishing to flee should be allowed to reach safe havens, away from the sights and sounds of war.

“I call on all warring parties in Syria to respect the fundamental principle of protection of civilians in conflict and to always place children’s safety and well-being above all else.

“UNICEF stands ready to support those affected by this new escalation. Our teams are already providing health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and psychosocial support to hundreds of thousands of families across the southwest.

“The children of Syria have lived through unacceptable suffering. This cannot become the new normal.”

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UNICEF promotes 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.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org/mena

For more information, please contact:

Najwa Mekki, UNICEF New York, +1917 209 1804, nmekki@unicef.org

Juliette Touma, UNICEF Middle East and North Africa, +962-79-867-4628, jtouma@unicef.org

Tamara Kummer, UNICEF Middle East and North Africa, +962 797 588 550, tkummer@unicef.org

Salam Abdulmunem, UNICEF Syria, +963 950 044 371, sabdulmunem@unicef.org