Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the situation of children in Aleppo, Syria

22nd August 2016

“What human being can see the stunned suffering of Omran Dagneesh, the small boy rescued from a destroyed building in Aleppo, Syria, and not feel an overwhelming sense of empathy?

“Can we not extend the same empathy to the more than 100,000 children also trapped in the horror that is Aleppo?  They are all suffering things no child should suffer – or even see.

“And empathy is not enough.  Outrage is not enough.  Empathy and outrage must be matched by action.

“Children of Omran’s age in Syria have known nothing but the horror of this war waged by adults.  We all should demand that those same adults bring an end to the nightmare of Aleppo’s children.”

About UNICEF

Find our Syria appeal here.

UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF has been operating for 70 years.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. To learn about UNICEF and its work for children visit https://www.unicef.ie/ 

For more information, please contact:

Aedín Donnelly, Communications and Media Manager for UNICEF Ireland | aedin@unicef.ie | Tel: +353 1 809 0281 | Mob: +353 85 1395272

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