Tens of thousands of children in Al-Hol camp and several parts of Syria in limbo amid dire humanitarian needs

At least 70,000 people live in Al-Hol Camp, northeast of Syria. UNICEF estimates that more than 90 percent of them are children and women. Nearly 20,000 of the children are Syrians. The rest, 29,000, come from 62 different countries, including 9,000 from Iraq. Most are under the age of 12. These children are highly vulnerable, they are the survivors of heavy fighting and have witnessed unimaginable atrocities.

The children in Al-Hol are facing a dire humanitarian situation and for many, this is further compounded by the recent experience of having been abused or forced to fight and carry out acts of extreme violence. These children make up only a fraction of a much larger group of children allegedly associated with armed conflict; stranded in camps, detention centres and orphanages across Syria and especially in the northeast.

Children in Al-Hol camp now require care and protection, and also rely on urgent life-saving assistance, especially as summer temperatures soar.

“Thousands of boys and girls in Al-Hol have never had a chance to simply be children. These are children. They deserve utmost care, protection, attention and services. After years of violence, they are unwanted, stigmatized by their local communities or shunned by their governments,” said UNICEF Representative in Syria Fran Equiza, after a visit to Al-Hol camp.

Despite violence winding down in the area and amid a decrease in the influx of people arriving to Al-Hol, humanitarian needs remain critical including access to safe water and health services.

“We are working with partners and donors to provide children with immediate lifesaving assistance. This is a drop in the ocean. Much more needs to be done to continue providing children with basic services and protection including reintegration into their local communities and safe return to their home countries,” added Equiza.

UNICEF reminds all concerned that these are children, not perpetrators. They have the right to be safeguarded, including legal documentation and family reunification. UNICEF is calling for the following immediate actions:

• On all the member states involved; in line with the best interests of the child and in full compliance with international legal standards: take full responsibility for the reintegration of children into their local communities and the safe repatriation of children back to their countries.
• For all parties to the conflict in Syria and those who have influence over them: to facilitate unconditional humanitarian access to, and inside Al-Hol, and everywhere in Syria to reach every child in need wherever they are.

UNICEF is appealing for US$9 million to continue providing assistance and support to children and families in the camp and scale up operations to meet the needs.

Original source: UNICEF
Published on 17 July 2019