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EU Parliamentarians agree to prevent a lost generation of Syrian children

Countries
Syria
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UNICEF
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BRUSSELS, 28 January 2014 - Members of the European Parliament today committed to continue the European Union’s work in supporting children in emergencies, including efforts led by UNICEF to prevent a lost generation of children in Syria.

The European Parliament’s Alliance for Children hosted an exchange of views on the ‘No Lost Generation’ strategy – conceived by UNICEF and other partners – with the EU’s Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Response, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva.

The Alliance for Children is an informal, cross-party group of parliamentarians with the shared goal of raising the profile of children’s issues in the European Parliament. It also aims to create synergies across committees and incorporate children’s rights into the mainstream work of the legislative body.

Vice-president Roberta Angelilli and other high level representatives from major political parties represented at the European Parliament committed to back up the ‘No Lost Generation’ strategy, which proposes a package of $1 billion additional critical investments for Syria’s children.

The investment aims to expand access to learning and psychosocial support; strengthen social cohesion and peacebuilding efforts; and restore hope for the future to millions of children.

The EU and its Member States have mobilised over €2 billion in assistance since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, including both humanitarian and development funding.

Note to Editors:

The ‘No Lost Generation’ strategy seeks to support the children of Syria, who are affected by violence, displacement and lack of education, protection, and opportunity. The strategy proposes $1 billion in requested funding to reach 6 million children in Syria and neighboring countries with access to learning and 3 million children with direct protection support between now and December 2014.

A special website has been established at www.championthechildrenofsyria.org to show how investments in children can deliver important dividends, not just for the current victims of the war but for the longer-term future of Syria and the wider region. Social media hashtag: #NoLostGeneration

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org.

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For further information, please contact:

Rebekka Opfermann, UNICEF Brussels, Tel: +32 2 505 01 06, Mobile: +32 492 93.37.43, ropfermann@unicef.org