Children in Aleppo Trapped in “Living Nightmare” – UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth
NEW YORK (September 28, 2016) – At least 96 children have been killed and 223 have been injured in Eastern Aleppo since Friday, UNICEF said.
“The children of Aleppo are trapped in a living nightmare,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth. “There are no words left to describe the suffering they are experiencing.”
The health system in Eastern Aleppo is crumbling with some 30 doctors left, hardly any equipment or emergency medicine to treat the injured, and an ever increasing number of trauma cases.
A doctor on the ground told UNICEF that children with low chances of survival are too often left to die due to limited capacity and supplies.
“Nothing can justify such assaults on children and such total disregard for human life. The suffering – and the shock among children – is definitely the worst we have seen.”
“Each day we hear more tragic stories of unbearable suffering in Aleppo. Each day the situation is getting worse for children,” said Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO of U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “It is hard to imagine the extent of pain and disbelief felt by children living through this nightmare, and as a mom I cannot even begin to imagine the desperation felt by Syrian mothers. UNICEF continues to work in Syria, delivering lifesaving services in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, despite these dire circumstances.”
For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF’s relief efforts, please visit www.unicefusa.org/syria.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org