World Vision condemns bombing of hospitals, schools

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

World Vision condemns in the strongest possible terms a renewed bombing campaign in Syria which has seen an alarming increase in attacks on hospitals and schools, including a World Vision-supported hospital specialising in maternal, newborn and children’s health.

The attacks highlight the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict.

 Over the past two weeks, more than 62,000 people have been displaced in the Aleppo region. Aid systems in border camps and towns, that are already hosting tens of thousands of people, are overwhelmed.

At the World Vision-supported hospital at Azaz, northern Syria, bombs shattered windows and damaged building structure. No patients were hurt, but 14 people in the vicinity were killed and 30 injured.

Fran Charles, Advocacy Director for World Vision’s Syria Response, said World Vision staff were working in an increasingly restricted humanitarian space, meaning greater difficulty in reaching children and families with the assistance they so desperately need.

“The international community must step up and use all diplomatic influence at its disposal to ensure these attacks stop and children and families can access lifesaving assistance,” she said. “International borders must also remain open for those fleeing conflict.”

Angela Huddleston, Program Manager for World Vision’s Syria Response, said many Syrians living on the front line of the conflict now had few supplies or belongings. “For most of these families, shifting lines of conflict mean that it is the second or third time they’ve had to pack up and literally run for their lives,” she said.

At Azaz and camps along the Turkey-Syria border, World Vision health teams are seeing an increase in diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms among children. Many families fled with no protection from cold and are camped out in cars, mosques, or overcrowded tents.

World Vision teams are providing water, sanitation facilities, Winter supplies including blankets and warm clothing, and baby kits for families.

An estimated 4.5 million people across Syria are located in areas classified as “hard to reach” by the United Nations – half of them children.

For World Vision comment, on the Syria-Turkey border or in Australia, contact:

Stuart Rintoul: +61 (0) 407 241 492 

Media Releases, Conflict, Human Rights, Syria

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