UNICEF delivers supplies for over 900,000 children in Middle East

The United Nations Children 's Fund (UNICEF) has delivered winter supplies to more than 900, 000 children as heavy snow continues to batter the Middle East, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

In Syria, where war nears its fourth year, warm clothing, blankets, heating supplies, cash and vouchers have reached 350,000 children and the distribution continues nationwide, Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.

"UNICEF Lebanon's winter items and vouchers have been provided to 200,000 children in the most exposed areas of the country, including in elevated areas such as Aarsal," he said, adding that UNICEF teams are working to reach a total of 478,000 children in the coming weeks.

The winter response has also benefited 100,000 vulnerable Syrian refugee children in Jordan, 62,000 children in Turkey, and more than 200,000 children in hard-to-reach and high altitude areas in Iraq, Haq said.

Living in tents, unfinished buildings and inadequate shelters, more and more children are being exposed to sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow and strong winds in the region. This leaves them vulnerable to respiratory tract infections and other illnesses associated with cold weather.

According to UNICEF, at least seven million internally displaced and refugee children are in desperate need of assistance as the harsh winter season continues in the Middle East. Enditem