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Yezidi families fleeing brutal violence in Sinjar, devastated by displacement, take shelter in Bajeed Kandala Camp near Dohuk and Peshkabour where many have sought refuge. Photo UNICEF

The disastrous humanitarian situation in Iraq including the tragedy unfolding in Sinjar has put thousands of children’s lives at risk, warned Colin MacInnes, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Iraq. Sinjar, a town in Northern Iraq, was taken over by the Islamic State over a week ago leading to the displacement of over 150,000 children.

Of an estimated 25,000 children that are stranded on mountains surrounding the town, UNICEF has confirmed 56 children have now died as a result of displacement, dehydration and exhaustion.

“They are without basic supplies - they are without water, food and they require medical attention,” said MacInnes. Many are traumatised by the extreme violence they have seen.

“As we respond to this crisis, we’ve been talking to families and children and their stories are heart-breaking. One girl that I was speaking with was 13 years old and had lost both her parents. The violence and loss of life is destroying families, it’s destroying communities and the question they ask us is ‘what will happen to us?’

“In areas we have access to, aid is definitely getting through to meet people’s acute needs. Those who are most vulnerable – children who are without family, those who are disabled, those who have chronic diseases. However, there are areas that we cannot access. We’re very concerned. This is a crisis that’s enveloping the whole country.

“If these people stranded in Sinjar do not get water and food now they will not survive. We have reports in the first 3 days in the mountains of Sinjar, 56 children dying from dehydration and exhaustion.”

UNICEF is working 24 hours a day to ensure that every child in reach has access to aid. 15,000 hygiene kits and 600,000 water bottles have been distributed in Sinjar in recent days, as well as enough high-energy biscuits to feed 35,000 undernourished children in Northern Iraq. UNICEF Ireland has launched an Irish appeal for children in Iraq. To donate visit Unicef.ie or phone 01-8783000.

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