Statement

Strikes against children in a hospital in Syria - Statement by the Executive Director of UNICEF, Anthony Lake

NEW YORK, 15 February, 2016 – "We at UNICEF are appalled by reports of attacks against four medical facilities in Syria – two of which were supported by UNICEF. One is a child and maternal hospital where children were reportedly killed and scores evacuated.

"Two of the strikes occurred at Azaz in Aleppo and another two in Idlib, where one of the hospitals was reportedly struck four times. In addition there are reports that two schools were attacked at Azaz reportedly killing six children. UNICEF is urgently seeking further information.



"A third of hospitals and a quarter of schools in Syria – 5,000 – are no longer functioning.



"Apart from compelling considerations of diplomacy and obligations under International Humanitarian Law, let us remember that these victims are children.



"Children."

###

About UNICEF

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 visit: www.unicef.org

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

For further information please contact:

Kieran Dwyer UNICEF Syria +963 (0) 992 89 28 47 kdwyer@unicef.org

John Budd, UNICEF New York +1 (917)909-9542 jbudd@unicef.org

Juliette Touma UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Office +962 7 98674528 jtouma@unicef.org



