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UNICEF says 2016 was worst year for Syrian children

A United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has declared 2016 as worst year for Syrian children.

UNICEF said ‘highest on record’ level of grave violations against children in Syria reported during 2016 since the war began in 2011.

“Verified instances of killing, maiming and recruitment of children increased sharply last year in a drastic escalation of violence across the country,” the report said.

According to the report, at least 652 children were killed in the last year, making 2016 the worst year for Syria’s children since verification of child casualties began in 2014.

Of that number, 255 children were killed in or near a school in 2016, UNICEF said.

The number of child fatalities in 2016 was at least 20 percent higher than in 2015. At least 647 children were also reported injured, including Majed.

There were also at least 338 attacks against hospitals and medical personnel.

“The depth of suffering is unprecedented,” UNICEF Regional Director Geert Cappelaere said in a statement.

“Millions of children in Syria come under attack on a daily basis, their lives turned upside down. Each and every child is scarred for life with horrific consequences on their health, well-being and future.”

Aside from the child fatalities, UNICEF also recorded that more than 850 children were recruited to fight in the conflict – double the number recruited in 2015.