“For Syria’s children, the past three years have been the longest of their lives. Must they endure another year of suffering?” asked UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

According to a new report titled Under Siege: the devastating impact on children of three years of conflict in Syria released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) millions of Syrian children are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. More than twice as many children now are affected by the war than 12 months ago. This is a very alarming number, cut off from aid and struggling to find food, many Syrian children have been deserted. They have no access to medical care, psychological support or even access to education.

The report shares valuable individual stories of children living in Syria or as refugees in neighboring countries, and highlights the traumas many of them are experiencing due to the conflict.According to the report 1 in 10 refugee children are now working and 1 in every 5 Syrian girls (living in Jordan) are forced into early marriage.

“This war has to end so that children can return to their homes to rebuild their lives in safety with their family and friends. This third devastating year for Syrian children must be the last,” insisted Mr. Lake.