PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF Ireland launches emergency appeal to protect children impacted by earthquake in Syria
Appeal launched amid growing concerns for safety of children in aftermath of earthquake in Syria and south-east Türkiye
UNICEF spokespeople in Syria and Ireland are available for interview
Multimedia materials available here
07 February 2023, DUBLIN: UNICEF Ireland has launched an emergency fundraising appeal for children and families impacted by the devastating earthquake in Syria. UNICEF estimates that thousands of children and families are at risk after two earthquakes and dozens of aftershocks hit Syria and south-east Türkiye on Monday.
According to authorities, in the two countries, more than 4,000 people have been killed, including children, with thousands more injured. As rescue efforts continue across Syria, and south-east Türkiye, the appeal comes amid concerns that the number of children killed and injured could grow over the coming hours and days.
Children are always among the most vulnerable when disasters strike, and UNICEF is deeply concerned about the earthquake’s impact on children and families in Syria who are already living through one of the world’s most complex emergencies.
Launching the Syria emergency appeal in Ireland, UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power said, “We are deeply concerned. The scale of the devastation is vast and we are still anxiously waiting for the full picture to emerge. The immediate aftermath of a disaster is the most critical time in terms of protecting the lives of children, whether that’s through emergency supplies or medical equipment. Our efforts in the next few days are essential, and we need urgent funds to support this work. People in Ireland have always shown immense solidarity with the children and families of Syria and we have no doubt that will continue now.”
The earthquake comes at a time when thousands of children and their families in Syria are already vulnerable due to a harsh winter, difficult economic conditions and lack of electricity. A full two thirds of the population requires assistance amid a worsening economic crisis, localised hostilities, mass displacement and devastated public infrastructure. That equates to more than 14.6 million people, including 6.5 million children, in need of assistance, and 6.9 million people, including 3 million children, who are internally displaced. Additionally, ninety per cent of families in the Syrian Arab Republic live in poverty and 55 per cent are food insecure.
As aftershocks continue across the region, UNICEF has humanitarian specialists already at work to coordinate the assistance in areas of reach in the affected Syrian Governorates of Aleppo, Hama, Idlib and Latakia.
More information on UNICEF Ireland’s emergency Syria appeal can be found at www.unicef.ie
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Multimedia materials available here
More information on UNICEF’s emergency Syria appeal can be found at www.unicef.ie
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
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Contacts
Danny Smits, UNICEF Ireland, +353871308070, danny@unicef.ie
