Millions of Syrian children still caught in protracted and intense conflict, says latest U.N. report

NEW YORK / DARAMSUQ — In its latest report about the situation of children in Syria between July 2018 and June 2020, the United Nations revealed that more than 2,700 children were killed or maimed by air strikes, explosive remnants of war, and indiscriminate ground bombardment of populated areas.

The report indicated that more than 1,400 children were recruited or used by at least 25 parties of the conflict.

The U.N. also stated that 236 attacks targeted schools and 135 attacks targeted medical facilities, affecting the already fragile Syrian health care and education systems.

The actual number of grave violations of the rights of children was over 4,724, said the report.

U.N. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba stated that, “In Syria, all children under the age of ten have lived their entire lives in a conflict-torn country, knowing nothing but war.” Gamba warned of the consequences of prolonged exposure to violence and rights violations, especially with little support available for survivors.