UNICEF welcomes new Kuwait donation for children of Syria | WPN World People News

Millions of Syrian children will benefit from a generous US$ 34.5 million donation by the government of Kuwait, UNICEF said.

This brings Kuwait’s total donations to UNICEF in just two years to close to $90 million.

“This contribution will help to scale up lifesaving interventions for the millions of children and their families who have been affected by this conflict," said Mr. As Sy, UNICEF Director of Public Sector Alliances and Resource Mobilization. “More children will receive vaccinations, learning materials, and greater access to water and sanitation.”

The worsening conflict in Syria, now in its fourth year, continues to spiral. UNICEF’s 2014 funding needs for the Syria crisis stand at $835 million, a marked increase over the $370 million needed last year.

The number of children affected by the Syria conflict has more than tripled since one year ago, and stands now at 5.5 million. Likewise, the number of child refugees increased by 460 per cent - with more than 1.3 million children fleeing to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt and other countries in North Africa.

This funding will help to cushion the impact of the crisis on children – including improving services in health, nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, child protection and education.

The children’s agency has warned that without an end to the hostilities, there is a risk that an entire generation of Syrian children will fall prey to a cycle of violence, instability and deprivation.

Source: United Nations International Children Emergency's Fund