NGO urges UN, governments to protect children with disabilities in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the United Nations (UN) and governments to facilitate aid access and enhance protection for children with disabilities in Syria.
“Children with disabilities in Syria are the most vulnerable to harm and lack the health care, education and humanitarian aids needed to protect their basic rights,” the HRW said in a report.
The report dealt with the violations faced by children with disabilities and the risks they are exposed to during attacks, as well as their failure to receive basic support services.
The HRW report pointed out that the absence of inclusive and universal programs – including in education, delivery of humanitarian aid, and mental health and psychosocial support services – compounds the difficulties children with disabilities in Syria already experience.
The report indicated that despite billions of dollars in aid, humanitarian operations in Syria have failed to sufficiently identify and address the rights and needs of children with various types of disabilities.
“One of the world’s deadliest conflicts, entering its twelfth year, continues to have a devastating impact on children with disabilities,” said Emina Ćerimović, senior disability rights researcher at HRW.
The report indicated that the conflict has contributed to Syria’s economic crisis, affecting the ability of Syrians, especially children with disabilities and their families, to realize their basic rights and needs, including to food and shelter.
The HRW urged all parties to the conflict in Syria should “respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law and facilitate prompt and unhindered humanitarian access to UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to deliver impartial assistance to civilians in need across Syria, including to children with disabilities.”