Statement Attributable to Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Representative in Syria, on Children Killed in Aleppo

NEW YORK (October 14, 2016) – “Yesterday’s attack near the Hatem Al Taai primary school in Aleppo city killed four children and injured three others.  The children were on their way to school in the morning hours when mortars hit the area.

“This deadly attack comes only three days after five children were killed inside their school in Dara’a city. In Syria, even going to school is dangerous.

“In the city of Aleppo, daily indiscriminate attacks on populated areas kill and injure scores of children. Those who survive are witnessing gruesome violence that no child should ever see, leaving them with lifelong physical and psychological scars.

“Nothing justifies killing children.

“UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and stop attacks on civilian infrastructure including schools and education facilities in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Children should be protected at all times”.

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