UNICEF Readies Winter Supplies for Syria Crisis

7 December 2012

UNICEF Readies Winter Supplies for Syria Crisis

UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) is urgently mobilizing more than 50,000 children’s clothing kits and around 150,000 blankets, including baby blankets, along with other winter supplies for displaced children in Syria and surrounding countries.

Drawing on its global supply networks, UNICEF is sourcing winter supplies where they are available and can be provided at speed.

Dennis McKinlay, Executive Director at UNICEF NZ, said “Temperatures are falling fast, down to five degrees Celsius this week, with expected lows around freezing point. Many Syrian children fled their homes with only summer clothing. Now they are in temporary shelters and in desperate need of warm clothes.

“Children are already fragile from the on-going stress associated with displacement and conflict. We urgently need to get clothing and other essential items to the most vulnerable children, whether they are in Syria or have fled to a neighbouring country.”

UNICEF is procuring clothing kits inside Syria for vulnerable children up to 15 years old. Each kit includes thermal underwear, long trousers, a woollen sweater, socks, woollen gloves and hat, shoes and a winter jacket.

Blankets will be distributed to children and families displaced by the on-going conflict, the vast majority inside Syria. They include 11,000 baby blankets for infants in Syria. More than 26,000 blankets are en route from UNICEF’s humanitarian hub in Dubai bound for Syria, while 41,000 further blankets are being sourced in Pakistan.

Health supplies that can meet the needs of more than 225,000 people for three months are also on their way to Syria from UNICEF’s Copenhagen supply warehouse. UNICEF has also readied half a million school bags, each containing stationery supplies, to boost numbers already distributed. Further supplies are being sourced within Syria where possible.

Mr McKinlay added, “Sourcing supplies from around the world and getting them into Syria is only half the solution. We face enormous challenges on the ground because of the security situation, but with our network of dedicated partners we will do everything we can to ensure that children get the warm clothes and blankets that they urgently need.

“Often in helping the most vulnerable children, it’s the simplest solutions which are the most effective - in this case, blankets. Alongside other critical items, they can be purchased from our website (www.unicef.org.nz) and will go straight to help children who need them the most.”

The situation of the estimated 400,000 Syrian refugees in surrounding countries, around half of them children, is also grim. In Lebanon, UNICEF plans to reach more than 24,000 children with clothing kits and clothing vouchers, along with an initial 10,000 blankets.

In Jordan, 78 heated winter tents for use as child friendly spaces and classrooms are to be set up over the next month. Solar panels are being installed at refugee washing centres in both Jordan and Iraq to provide hot water.

UNICEF urgently needs an additional US$79.33m to support its emergency response in Syria and the four surrounding countries. Donations can be made at www.unicef.org.nz

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

UNICEF is a charity funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field thanks to the way we work in partnership with governments, local NGOs and other partners - www.unicef.org.nz

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