The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that over 650,000 Syrian children under the age of five are suffering from chronic malnutrition.
In a statement released on the 13th anniversary of the Syrian revolution, the organization highlighted the ongoing cycles of violence, displacement, economic crises, severe deprivation, disease outbreaks, and devastating earthquakes over the past year, which have left hundreds of thousands of children vulnerable to long-term physical and psychological consequences.
UNICEF noted that “over 650,000 children under the age of five are suffering from chronic malnutrition, with an increase of about 150,000 children in the four years since 2019.”
Chronic malnutrition, or stunting, irreversibly damages children’s physical and cognitive growth, affecting their ability to learn and thrive.
A recent survey conducted in northern Syria revealed that 34% of girls and 31% of boys reported social and psychological distress.
Rapid assessments conducted in earthquake-affected areas also indicated a higher proportion of children experiencing severe behavioral issues.
The United Nations issued a statement on the 13th anniversary of the revolution, stating that 16.7 million Syrians are in need of assistance.
