UNICEF concerned for news about children trapped in Qusayr (Syria)
(May 22, 2013) The United Nations Children’s Fund - UNICEF on Tuesday expressed
great concern for the safety of civilians in the city of Qusayr, in Syria which is
under attack, and fears for thousands of children and women who may be trapped there
because of the fighting. There are reports of heavy fighting in Qusayr, a town near
the border with Lebanon, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is believed
that within the city there have remained between 12,000 and 20,000 people, including
many children. In recent days, hundreds of families have fled to Lebanon, and in different
areas of Syria. UNICEF, other UN agencies and their partners are providing urgent
humanitarian assistance including food, clothing and hygiene kits for most of the
displaced persons. UNICEF has repeatedly called on all parties to fulfil the obligations
of international law and respect the sanctity of life of children. Since March 2011,
nearly 4.25 million people - half of them children - have been displaced within Syria
and 1.5 million people have taken refuge in neighbouring countries and are in need
of humanitarian assistance. Sedoc: