Unicef to help displaced women, children of Syria

United Nations, March 24 (IANS) The Unicef will address urgent issues related to health, education and other needs of thousands of displaced Syrian women and children, a UN spokesman said.

According to Maria Calivis, the Unicef's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, children have not been spared by the "violence sweeping Syria over the past year", Xinhua reported.

"Of the 30,000 registered refugees who have fled to the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, a large proportion are women and children," said UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey at a daily news briefing Friday.

At least 500 children have been killed in Syria, while hundreds more have been injured, detained and abused, the UN said. In addition, schools have closed or become too dangerous to access.

The Unicef is requesting $7.4 million in funding to focus on child protection, water and sanitation and education for the increasing number of refugees.