UNICEF update: The situation of children in northeast Syria
UNICEF has staff in the region available immediately for interview
Please contact Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]
- As violence escalates in northeast Syria, thousands of children are at imminent risk to their lives including of injury, death and displacement. Exact figures of people’s displacement are not yet available. Tens of thousands of people, among them many children, have been displaced since violence escalated, mainly from the areas of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abiad.
- Some of the people displaced are reportedly heading towards Ar-Raqqa city (90km south of Tal Abiad) while the majority are heading towards other locations including Amouda, Al Derbasiya, Tal Tamer and Hassakeh city (around 75km southeast of Ras al-Ain.) Internally Displaced Persons in Hassakeh city are mostly being hosted by the local community in addition to collective shelters in schools and buildings under construction.
- In Ras al-Ain, the Alouk water pumping station has reportedly come under attack early yesterday morning (10 October). This station provides safe water to at least 400,000 people in Hassakeh governorate including displacement camps. The pumping station is out of service because of the violence. Technical and operational staff cannot access the water station to repair during the ongoing hostilities.
- In Tal Abiad, two schools have reportedly been taken over for military use. UNICEF reminds all parties that children and all civilian infrastructure on which they depend, including schools, must be protected at all times in line with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
- UNICEF’s partners in Tal Abiad and Ras al-Ain have had to stop most of their work in the area. Many of their staff and volunteers are among the displaced population. Child Protection programmes have been suspended in Ras al-Ain, Mabrouka camp, Tal Halaf, Sulok and Tal Abiad. Health and Nutrition response in Ras al-Ain and Mabourka camp have also been suspended. Schools in these areas have been closed and water supply has been impacted.
- However, UNICEF continues to maintain presence in Qamishli through its staff, facilitators and partners and has stocked up WASH, Health and Nutrition supplies covering the needs for 45,000 children and women for one month in addition to seasonal clothes for children under the age of five, with additional supplies in the pipeline.
- An escalation of hostilities in the area is likely to have serious consequences on the ability of humanitarian actors to provide protection and assistance to thousands of vulnerable children. UNICEF reiterates that the only solution to the brutal conflict in Syria is a political solution. The protection of children in the northeast of Syria and across the country must be prioritized at all times.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Murdoch, 0207 375 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