UNICEF to send high level delegation to Syria's donors conference in Kuwait

The UN Children's Fund agency (UNICEF) said Sunday a high-level delegation would participate in Kuwait's 2nd international donors conference to support the Syrian people, scheduled on January 15th. UNICEF spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa Juliet Toma said the delegation will include Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs Yoka Brandt, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa Maria Calivis, and the Director for Emergency Headquarters in New York, Kuwait news agency KUNA reported. Toma added the humanitarian situation in Syria and in neighboring countries was deteriorating, especially after the number of those affected reached more than nine million Syrians, at least half of them are children. The spokeswoman explained that the conference aims to mobilize international support for the humanitarian needs of millions of Syrians, who are living in critical conditions, including lack of financial resources needed to cover UNICEF's activities. Toma noted that UNICEF was providing children with water, health services, and vaccines against various diseases. "UNICEF has worked to register more than 570,000 children in schools to get good education," Toma said, adding that "psychological and social support is ongoing for 870,000 children." The spokeswoman noted that UNICEF provides emergency aid to millions of Syrian children. UNICEF needs around USD 835 million to continue its services in 2014.