Syrian children’s futures depend on Geneva II peace agreement

World Vision has joined the call for all parties to the Syria conflict to negotiate a peace agreement at Geneva II to end the bloodshed, protect children and allow humanitarian aid to be provided to those desperately in need in the war-torn country.

World Vision UK’s Chief Executive Justin Byworth said that the only real and lasting solution to Syria’s humanitarian crisis is a political one.

“In Geneva this week all parties to the conflict must search and strive without rest for a lasting peace for Syria’s people and the international community must do all it can to support this.” said Mr Byworth.

“Agreeing a negotiated peace is going to be difficult; however, committing to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches all those in need shouldn’t be,” he added

Three years of unrelenting conflict and violence has left more than 9.3 million people desperately in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.

Mr Byworth said:

“I have spent much of the last year listening to stories from Syrian refugees who have been systematically starved in their home country, as the withdrawal of food is used as a weapon of war. It is critical that all parties allow the safe delivery of humanitarian relief to children and families who are currently out of reach and in desperate need within Syria’s borders.”

A report, Children’s Rights, Wronged, released today by World Vision, highlights the desperate situation that many children are facing in Syria and neighbouring countries.

More than 100,000 Syrian children are working, often in unsafe conditions, instead of going to school. In some areas of Jordan, nearly half of Syrian families depend on a child for their primary source of income.

Adult Syrians are struggling to find jobs and employers are hiring children for lower rates making them their family breadwinners. Many children are also at risk of forced marriage, prostitution and being recruited into armed groups.

World Vision spoke to one young Syrian child, ‘Saad’, who works with his family. “I am four years old. I make concrete blocks. I hurt here and here,” he said as he pointed to his knees and shoulders. Saad and his family earn US$8 for every 100 concrete blocks they make.

"Millions of Syrian children have been suffering as a result of this three-year conflict. This is unacceptable. Unless we all take responsibility in our respective leadership positions for what’s happening and act now, we are at risk of losing an entire generation of children,” said Conny Lennenberg, World Vision’s Regional Leader for the Middle East.

“The Geneva II peace talks present an opportunity for the international community to show real commitment to protecting Syria’s children.”