It stated that every Syrian child had been impacted by the violence, displacement, severed family ties and lack of access to vital services, having a huge psychological impact on children.

According to the report, since December, almost 600,000 people have been displaced by violence in the northwest of the country. In Idlib Province, many families have suffered multiple displacements and are increasingly desperate, with no way to safely escape the violence. Major roadways are clogged and every night thousands cling to survival in makeshift shelters with little protection from the freezing cold.

The physical devastation in Syria has been massive, with schools, hospitals and water treatment facilities destroyed. Meanwhile, some 2.5 million children are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. The scale, severity and complexity of the humanitarian needs remain extensive.

The Syrian crisis remains first and foremost a protection crisis. Grave violations of children’s rights – recruitment, abductions, killing and maiming continue unabated. Unexploded ordnance is a deadly threat for millions of Syrian children, while around 5 million children still require some form of humanitarian assistance. (ILKHA)