At Least Seven Children Killed In Yet Another Attack On Civilians In Northwest Syria
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore
NEW YORK (July 7, 2019) – “At least seven children are confirmed to have been killed in an attack yesterday on the village of Mhambel in northwest Syria. It has been reported that most of those who lost their lives were internally displaced, having already been forced from their communities by previous waves of fighting.
“This latest outrage adds to the mounting child casualties caused by intensifying violence over the past few weeks, including in Al Wadihi, southern Idlib, northern Aleppo and northern Hama. At least 140 children have been killed in northwest Syria since the start of the year.
“The obvious disregard for the safety and wellbeing of children evident in these attacks is appalling. My heart breaks for the young lives lost and for all the children in the area who remain in harm’s way.
“I strongly and unequivocally urge the parties to the conflict and those who have influence over them to ensure that children in the northwest and across the country are protected from the ongoing violence.”
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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, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA 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
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org
Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org