As the Geneva II peace talks on Syria continue, World Vision urges all parties participating in the negotiation to prioritise the protection of children.
World Vision welcomes yesterday’s agreement to allow women and children safe passage out of the besieged town of Homs, and calls for speedy implementation to ensure vital aid reaches those who need it most. The agency calls on parties to extend this to allow safe movement and access to essential services for all civilians throughout Syria, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
World Vision is pleased that discussion around humanitarian access issues has opened, but recognizes that there is a very long way to go. World Vision, on behalf of the children with whom the organization works, continues to put pressure on the international community to work toward a negotiated peace.
Recognising that this will be a long and complex process, the children’s agency also calls upon leaders in Geneva to agree upon minimum standards to ensure the protection of Syrian children – to cease all attacks on schools, hospitals and children’s play areas, to allow aid to reach vulnerable children and families, and to act in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The conflict in Syria has now claimed more than 100,000 lives, including more than 11,000 children.
For all media enquiries, please contact Meg Sattler on +962 778 687 784