UNICEF goodwill Ambassador Ricky Martin visits Syrian refugees in Lebanon

The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador singer Ricky Martin visited Lebanon on Friday to inspect the Syrian refugees camp in the country, the UNICEF said in a press release.

"Martin calls for increased focus on safeguarding the futures of millions of children affected by the Syria conflict, whose lives have been shaped by displacement, violence and a persistent lack of opportunities," the UNICEF said in the release.

"Around 1.1 million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon since the start of the crisis in 2011, more than half of them are children. Child refugees are particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse, with large numbers being left with no choice but to go out to work, rather than attend school," it said.

The UN agency said the sixth year of the Syrian crisis has impacted the lives of millions of children and their families. An estimated 2.8 million children are now out of school in the region.

It quoted Martin, who will spend two days in Lebanon, as saying that "I met children who have been forced to become breadwinners for their families, working up to 12 hours a day. The world must do more to make sure these children are protected from exploitation and given access to safe environments where they can learn and be empowered."

The deteriorating economic situation for Syrian refugees has dramatically exacerbated the problem of child labor in Lebanon.

According to the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Lebanon hosts more than 1.1 million Syrians who fled their war-torn country since the beginning of the uprising against the regime of President Bashar Assad in March 2011. Endit