UNICEF Executive Director on Humanitarian AccessNew York, Geneva, Beirut, 11 August 2006 – Humanitarian access is urgently needed to reach families and children who are affected by the crisis in the Middle East. Over 900,000 people have fled their homes in Lebanon, many of whom are living in temporary shelters and schools, while nearly 180,000 refugees have crossed the border into Syria. Thousands of children have been killed and injured in the conflict. Countless others are living in extremely precarious conditions which are worsening daily, with limited access to clean water, food, medicine and hygiene supplies. With fuel supplies dwindling, hospital operations are threatened along with other vital services. Thousands of families and children critically need support. At present we are unable to reach the majority of them. The protection of women and children in times of war is the responsibility of all parties to a conflict -- children should not be the innocent victims of war. We call upon the parties to urgently agree to a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian agencies to deliver needed supplies.
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