UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

November 2013 - The humanitarian situation in Syria has rapidly deteriorated over the past year as a result of the civil war in the country. The United Nations estimates more than 110,000 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands more wounded, due to the violence. Within Syria, some 9.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, 6.5 million of whom are internally displaced. In addition, more than 2.2 million Syrian refugees are living in host countries in the region. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the gravest consequences of the conflict and host countries are increasingly overstretched by the influx of people needing assistance. With DFATD’s support, UNICEF is providing emergency health services, psychosocial support, immunizations, nutrition support, water and sanitation services, education and child protection to vulnerable Syrians, including women and children, inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. Project activities include: (i) providing primary health care, including vaccinations, and water, sanitation and hygiene services, such as building and rehabilitating latrines, promoting good hygiene practices, and ensuring safe water supply; (ii) providing nutrition support to mothers with infants and young children; (iii) establishing safe and secure learning environments that promote child protection and well-being; (iv) facilitating recreational activities for Syrian children; (v) establishing safe spaces for Syrian women and girls at risk of sexual and gender-based violence; (vi) establishing community-based networks to disseminate information on risks related to sexual and gender-based violence and on access and location of services; and (vii) registering and providing assistance to unaccompanied and separated children.