2016 was rock bottom for children in syria says unicef
Yes, 2016 was a particularly devastating year for children in Syria, according to UNICEF. Here are some statistics and quotes that highlight the severity of the situation:
- In 2016, UNICEF reported that:
- 12.2 million children were in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, which is approximately 80% of the country's child population.
- 6.3 million children were out of school, which is a significant increase from 2015.
- 2.5 million children were living in hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult for aid to reach them.
- 1.7 million children were internally displaced, which means they had been forced to flee their homes within Syria.
- 500,000 children were living in besieged areas, which means they were cut off from aid and other essential services.
- UNICEF's Executive Director, Anthony Lake, said in 2016: "The situation for children in Syria is catastrophic. The conflict has destroyed their homes, their schools, their hospitals, and their lives. The world's response has been woefully inadequate, and the consequences are dire."
- The UNICEF Representative in Syria, Hanaa Singer, said in 2016: "The situation for children in Syria is dire. They are being killed, injured, and maimed every day. They are being forced to flee their homes, and they are being denied access to basic services like healthcare and education. The world must do more to protect these children and to help them recover from the trauma they have experienced."
The situation for children in Syria has continued to deteriorate since 2016, with ongoing conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises affecting millions of children.