Conflict hits 80% of Syrian children

More than 80% of Syria’s children have been harmed by the country’s conflict, including growing numbers who are forced to work, join armed groups, or marry young because of widening poverty, the UN children’s agency said.

Peter Salama, Unicef’s regional chief, called on donor countries to make good on money pledges made at a Syria aid conference in London last month. Unicef is seeking $1.16bn (€1.04bn) for 2016 to help Syria’s children, including close to three million who are not in school.

The agency has so far received only 6% of the amount it seeks for this year. Mr Salama said it would make more sense for donors to provide the funds early on and enable more effective, longer-term planning.