UNICEF Calls On All Syria Conflict Parties To Help Humanitarian Convoy Reach Rukban Camp

UNICEF is calling on all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to facilitate the passage of a humanitarian convoy to Rukban refugee camp in southeastern Syria, where harsh conditions and lack of healthcare jeopardizes lives of children, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore told Sputnik in an interview

DAVOS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) UNICEF is calling on all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to facilitate the passage of a humanitarian convoy to Rukban refugee camp in southeastern Syria, where harsh conditions and lack of healthcare jeopardizes lives of children, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore told Sputnik in an interview.

"About 80 per cent of the estimated 45,000 people in Rukban are women and children. Without healthcare, protection and shelter, more children will die. The need for far more assistance, on a regular basis, is acute ... UNICEF reiterates our urgent call on all parties to the conflict to urgently facilitate a humanitarian convoy to Rukban, including mobile health clinics, so that lifesaving supplies and services can be delivered," Fore said.

The UNICEF executive director added that the issue of assistance became "a matter of life and death" for children.

"Freezing temperatures, harsh living conditions and extremely limited healthcare in Rukban, at the southwestern border of Syria with Jordan, are putting more children's lives at risk. In just one month, at least eight children � most of them under four months, and the youngest only one hour old � have died," Fore said.

The previous delivery of the humanitarian aid to the camp took place in early November. The Russian military escorted the UN humanitarian convoy from Damascus, while Russian military helicopters provided air support. The UN representatives delivered 450 tonnes of food, medicines and other essential goods.