March 30, 2017…Following an announcement by the UNHCR that the number of Syrian refugees who have fled the region has now passed 5 million, please see below for statement from Save the Children’s Syria team.
Misty Buswell, Save the Children’s Director of Advocacy for Syria, said:
“This is the biggest exodus of refugees in recent history and a stark reminder of the utter failure of the international community to end this crisis. More than a thousand children a day have fled their country every day for the past six years, and an entire generation is now growing up as refugees, forced from their homes and facing an uncertain future. These are the children who will have to rebuild Syria once the war ends, and they urgently need our support.
“Many families are living in limbo, without legal status and unable to work or access essential services such as healthcare and education. About three quarters of a million Syrian refugee children are now out of school, which will have devastating implications for Syria’s long-term future. The unrelenting violence inside Syria means it’s far too dangerous to go home, with children still killed and bombed on a daily basis. Yet countries around the world are increasingly shutting their borders to children seeking refuge. Today’s announcement is a reminder that even after six years this crisis is still getting bigger every day, and these children need our help now more than ever before.”
ENDS
Media Contact
For additional information please contact Katharine Harris, Senior Manager, Communications & PR:
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.