Unicef: Syrian children dying of cold in refugee camps

Eight of the children reported to have frozen to death in the refugee camp Rukban in the south west of Syria. The camp has a population of over 45.000 people and their situation has been described as dire by the united nations, with food shortages and vulnerability. In recent times the situation has been exacerbated by the cold.

– In just a month have at least eight children – most younger than four months and the youngest just an hour old – died, " says Unicef Mellanösternchef Geert Cappelaere.

refugees in the conflict-eastern parts of Syria. At least seven children have died in connection with that thousands of people have fled the area surrounding the Hajin in the province of Deir al-Zor, according to Unicef.

– The dangerous and difficult journey has killed seven children – most of them under a year old, " says Geert Cappelaere.

heavy fighting has been raging in the area near the iraqi border, where terrorrörelsen IS defending one of its last bastions.

in The last six months, it is estimated that around 25,000 people fled the escalating violence in eastern Syria, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).