As the conflict in Syria continues to escalate, in less than a year, the number of children who are trapped by the violence has doubled. There are now nearly half a million children who live in approximately 16 areas across the countries that are under siege and completely cut off from basic services and humanitarian aid.
Life is a nightmare
Anthony Lake an Executive Director for Unicef says that for millions of people in Syria, life has turned into a nightmare that never ends. The worst affected are the hundreds of thousands of children who are living under siege conditions. He adds that kids are being killed and injured and this means they fear going to school and don’t have the courage to even play. They are surviving on very little food and medicine is scarce. Mr. Lake concludes by saying that too many children are dying and this is no way for them to live.
Two years without aid
There are some communities in Syria that have not had access to aid in more than two years. Unicef estimates that in Eastern Aleppo there are at least 100,000 children living under siege. Without safe spaces, children are playing in schools, hospitals, basements and schools. In one area that has come under siege, some volunteers came together to build a playground and park by linking several basements together. The project has been a massive success with as many as 200 children visiting the playground every day. One school has moved completely underground providing 50 girls with the opportunity to continue to learn.
The sieges need to end
As the conflict enters into its sixth year, Unicef renews its call on all participants to end the sieges that are raging across the country. The aid agency says it is critical that participants in the conflict enable immediate and unconditional humanitarian access to all areas throughout the country.
