Millions of children in northwestern Syria urgently need aid

Millions of children in northwestern Syria urgently need food, shelter and warm clothing. The needs are enormous and are growing every day in the areas involved. Save the Children and its partners have begun to respond by providing emergency food rations, food for search and rescue workers and tents to keep children warm and dry.

“The situation across northwestern Syria is like no other crisis in the world right now. From the loss of family members and homes, to lack of food and clean water, the knock-on effects of this disaster have affected every single child,” said Kathryn Achilles, Director of Advocacy, Media and Communications at Save the Children Syria.

“The UN trucks arriving in the North West will provide vital assistance to affected children and families, but represent only the tip of the iceberg of what the real needs are. More efforts are needed to ensure all children receive the assistance they desperately need."

Noor, 10, fled fighting in Aleppo and was living in Idlib when powerful earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria on Monday. “We went out, the ground was shaking, there was a crack in the kitchen ceiling, and we were so scared we left the house,” said Noor, who now lives in a temporary shelter. “We went to the mosque and then they transferred us here. We need clothes and stoves. It's getting really cold."

Save the Children is working closely with partners to provide affected families with heating supplies and temporary shelters, furnished with mattresses, insulating floors, blankets, children's clothes and woolen hats.

“In Idlib the situation is tragic. The need is immense and exceeds the current capacities of local Syrian aid organizations in northern Syria,” said Anwar*, an aid worker with a partner organization in northwestern Syria. “We hope that organizations and the international community will continue to provide support to the many families who are still on the streets, both in Idlib and surrounding cities, and help us overcome this crisis and help those still trapped under the rubble. , those who are still alive and in need of medical assistance”.

In northwestern Syria, Save the Children is working closely with partner organizations to assess the extent of the damage and provide vital support that children desperately need. In Turkey, Save the Children Turkey's emergency team is preparing to help children and families living in temporary shelters in various locations. The Organization has provided hot meals necessary for 500 people who have taken refuge in a sports stadium in Hatay and is ready to distribute winter kits to the population, blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags, to face the harsh temperatures. In Malatya and Antep, baby kits were delivered, which include baby food, milk and bottles.