Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the humanitarian pause in Aleppo, Syria

26th August 2016

NEW YORK, 26 August 2016 – “Today is another sad and dangerous day for the children in Syria, in particular those living in Aleppo.

“Every child there – everyone affected – needs an immediate pause to the fighting in Aleppo, and every second of every minute counts when it comes to protecting and saving the lives of children.

“UNICEF continues to be at the ready to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance, including medicines, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

“And we are standing by to support the assessment and repair of vital electricity and water facilities to provide safe drinking water to people all over Aleppo.

“More than 100,000 children remain trapped in the eastern parts of the city since early July.

“Over 35,000 people have been displaced in the western parts of the city.

“The children of Aleppo must no longer live under constant fear of attack in what has become one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

“But until there is peace, there is a desperate need for the humanitarian pauses, ceasefires and constant access necessary to save lives and save hope.”

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

Najwa Mekki, UNICEF New York, +1917 209 1804, nmekki@unicef.org

Farah Dakhlallah, UNICEF Middle East and North Africa, +962 79760 9270, fdakhlallah@unicef.org

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