UNICEF creates a safe environment for Syrian children

World
Europe

02:12

By CGTN's World Insight

UNICEF is working to provide urgent assistance to children affected by the violence in Syria, including the millions of refugee children driven out of the country.

Who better to ask about these efforts than Henrietta Fore, the UNICEF executive director and under-secretary-general of the United Nations. Fore recently took office as the executive director for UNICEF this year.

Over the last four decades, she has been focused on the economic development; education, health, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in both the public and the private sector.

CGTN's host Tian Wei caught up with Fore to talk about her efforts to save children from war-torn areas, particularly in Syria.

CGTN's World Insight Photo

During the interview, Tian asked Fore if UNICEF could really save the people of Syria who lives are currently in a deadly situation?

"UNICEF can be there before, during and after those emergencies. We have people in Syria," Fore added. "The violence [and] displacement are in so many parts of Syria, so having staff in each town with displaced people center [helps] get them water, blankets, food, and health supplies."

All these are basics for those who have lost their family through the violence of the civil war. UNICEF is focused on helping the young children reconnect with their families.

"Sometimes families get split up in the violence, the young children are running in different directions, so we tried to give them name bands (tags), so we won't lose them, and we know where they are from."

CGTN's World Insight Photo

Fore says the children are the most affected by the violent war.

A heavy shadow has been cast over their hearts - one that can be hard to remove. She says, "Children have to feel safe. They have to feel protected."

UNICEF is trying its best to protect these children, "If we can create child friendly places, and places of rest where they can just pause, in terms of everything around them falling apart, that helps," Fore said. "Having safe places for children is very much part of our duty."

World Insight with Tian Wei is a 45-minute global affairs and debate show on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 10:15 p.m. BJT (1415GMT), with rebroadcasts at 4:15 a.m. BJT (2015GMT).