People Surrounding Bowl

More than 500 Syrian Children Evacuated from Homs

Following a cease-fire that went into effect on Friday, more than 1,000 civilians—including more than 500 children—were evacuated from the Old City in Homs, Syria's third largest city and a center of violence in the ongoing crisis.

Despite the cease-fire, humanitarian workers have been deliberately targeted, according to Valerie Amos, the United Nations' Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Today, UNICEF issued the following briefing on the humanitarian situation in Homs.

At least 500 children were among civilians evacuated from the besieged Old City of Homs over the past few days during the ongoing humanitarian operation being undertaken by the United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).

UNICEF colleagues on the ground reported that the children who came out looked terrified, frail and emaciated. Mothers were anxious, and many were crying. All they wanted was for their children to reach safety.

Staff reported the presence of about 20 pregnant women among the evacuees.

Under the humanitarian pause, U.N. and SARC vehicles have so far brought 1,151 civilians out of the Old City and transferred them to shelters or into the care of relatives elsewhere in Homs.

UNICEF staff accompanied children identified as vulnerable until they reached safety to ensure they were not separated from their families or otherwise placed at risk.

Despite coming under attack, the humanitarian convoy managed to deliver some much needed supplies including food, hygiene kits and water purification tablets.

UNICEF staff provided children arriving at the reception centre outside the old city with nutrition supplements.

A total of 190 children received on-the-spot vaccination against polio, DPT, Hepatitis B, measles and other preventable diseases.

Before the humanitarian operation began, UNICEF estimated there were more than 1,000 children trapped in Homs.

UNICEF remains extremely concerned over the fate of the many children who are still trapped in Homs and in other besieged communities all over Syria.

Parties to the conflict must protect children, respect humanitarian pauses and abide by international humanitarian law principles to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those who desperately need it.

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