Whole generation of Syrian children could be lost: UN
March 12, 2013: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a report regarding
the plight of children caught in the midst of Syria’s ongoing civil war. The organization
warns that an entire generation is at risk. The report, issued on Tuesday to correspond
with the second anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict, estimates there are
2 million children affected by the crisis inside Syria. Another 500,000 children
are thought to be among the million refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and
Egypt, which are struggling to cope with the constant stream of refugees.
"Millions
of children inside Syria and across the region are witnessing their past and their
futures disappear amidst the rubble and destruction of this prolonged conflict," said
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a statement accompanying the release of
the report. "As their right to be children is denied . . . their views of their neighbors
are colored in ways that can create future generations of self-perpetuating violence."
Among
the problems facing Syrians are the destruction of basic infrastructure and public
services, the report says. Children's education has also been severely affected, as
UNICEF reports that one in five schools has either been destroyed or is being used
by people seeking shelter. The report adds that children are being killed, maimed,
abused and tortured in the violence that has swept the country. Many are also now
orphans.
While UNICEF highlighted some of the relief work it is carrying out
in Syria and in the refugee camps in neighboring countries – such as vaccination drives
and efforts to provide safe drinking water – the organization says it is still seriously
underfunded to effectively combat the crisis. It says it has only received 22 percent
of the $68 million (52 million euros) needed to continue and expand existing programs. The
ongoing violence in Syria makes the country a dangerous place for UNICEF to operate,
added Ted Chaiban, Director of UNICEF's Emergency Program, who travelled to Syria
last month.
"We have very significant security constraints, and we have had
difficulties also negotiating access," he said. "We're really trying our best – across
lines, wherever children and women – people in need are, but the resource base has
been difficult to mobilize for this crisis."
Meanwhile, fighting between Syrian
rebels and government enters its third year on Tuesday. The UN estimates 70,000 people
have been killed in the conflict.