Overview
After six years of brutal and senseless conflict in Syria, more than 400,000 people have been killed, including up to 55,000 children. This represents one child killed every hour since the war began.
Tens of thousands of children have lost one or both parents and have suffered life-changing injuries, and 411,000 children are living under siege. At least 13.5 million people need humanitarian assistance inside Syria alone, while over five million refugees from Syria have fled to neighbouring countries, including Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Many have died trying to reach Europe, where a hostile political climate has seen the legitimate right of refugees for asylum undermined.
Until the war ends, the refugee crisis will continue unabated. This brutal civil war has seen civilians repeatedly targeted, hospitals destroyed, towns and villages besieged, chemical weapons deployed, as well as consistent blocking of humanitarian aid from those that need it. The Syrian regime and its allies are primarily responsible for the horror that people face daily, whilst armed opposition and extremist groups are also responsible for brutal acts. UN Security Council resolutions have been repeatedly flouted over the past year, most recently with the Russian and Chinese governments stooping to veto a resolution against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Current efforts at peace negotiations under Russian and UN auspices have not improved the humanitarian situation and children continue to suffer.
Despite this bleak picture there are actions the international community can undertake to address urgent needs and plan for a more stable and secure future for Syria’s children.
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