Syria’s civil war can best be described as the worst crisis to humanity of our time. Half the country’s pre-war populations of more than 11 million people have been killed or rendered homeless making them find shelter in refugee camps scattered around the country.
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund is calling attention to the effect that the five years of conflict has had on Syria’s young people, saying the crisis is the most ‘damaging conflict for children in the region's recent history’. According to Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa; “Nearly 7 million children live in poverty, making their childhood one of loss and deprivation. He stated further; “As the war continues, children are fighting an adult war, they are continuing to drop out of school and many are forced into labour, while girls are marrying early”.
According to reports released by UNICEF, 5.5 million Syrian children now need assistance because of the war, the number has doubled in the past year. Reports emanating from within Syria states that about One million children are living under brutal siege and it is hard to reach areas in Syria. The report says of January, violence has killed more than 10,000 children in Syria, who often are not accidental victims of war but rather deliberately targeted. Witnesses say children and infants have been killed by Snipers or become victims of summary executions or torture.
Effects of the war on Syrian Children :
• Downfall of Education growth: UNICEF says half of Syrian’s school age population cannot go to classes on a regular basis and that about one in five schools cannot be used because several school buildings have been destroyed by the incessant bombings. Schools have been closed for a long period and this has affected the educational growth and reduced the literacy level of the children.
• Lack of Adequate Treatment: In a report released an estimated 60 percent of Syria’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. This resulted in the increase of Pneumonia and Diarrhea cases as well as vulnerability to diseases like measles. The United Nation now trying to emancipate Syria through vaccination from Polio after its outbreak in 1999.
• Psychological Damage: Displaced children in refugee camps or in isolation from host communities commonly face Boredom, Social Exclusion and lack of stimulating activities or opportunities to play. This affects the children’s psychology and how they relate to the outside world in general. Dr. Abdullahi Nassir, a Medical Expert states:
‘Neglect and under stimulation of Children affected by conflict
can lead to severe impairments in the child’s development
creating a lasting legacy of War’.
These children are suffering profound emotional and psychological distress from the war. Here we are talking about the hidden injuries, the hidden wounds that have been inflicted on the children because of what they have experienced; the behavioral changes, the nightmares that they carry around with them making them unable to function as normal children
• Child Labour: UNICEF says thousands of Syrian refugee children have to work to support their destitute families and many girls are forced into early marriage.
• The increase in Child Deaths: The report says of January, violence has killed more than 10,000 children in Syria, who often are not accidental victims of war but rather deliberately targeted. Witnesses say children and infants have been killed by Snipers or become victims of summary executions or torture.
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