UNICEF Program Supporting Syrian Refugees - Essay Example

UNICEF in Syria al Affiliation UNICEF in Syria Since its establishment in 1946, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has been working to provide in war-ravaged countries assistance to children following World War II. In 1950, its mandate was extended to be inclusive of addressing the plights of the children in developing countries. However, globally millions of children still continue to experience discrimination, violence and struggles to either thrive or survive. It is for these specific needs that UNICEF exists to address. It is established in over 190 territories and countries, and its main objective is to ensure global children’s rights are not violated. The most disadvantaged often have its focus; UNICEF responds to humanitarian emergencies that arise from conflict and natural disasters and targets development support to least developed countries. These violations of children’s rights to protection that UNICEF seeks to address have been identified to occur in every country and are under-recognized, massive and under-reported barriers to child development and survival. This is in addition to human rights violations. Children subjected to exploitation, violence, neglect and abuse are at risk of poor mental and physical health, death HIV/AIDS infection, homelessness, educational problems, vagrancy, displacement and later poor parenting (Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, 2013) How UNICEF programs relate to U.N agencies It is through its national committees and country programs that UNICEF can manage to operate in the 190 countries. In each country, the UNICEF’s missions are carried out by the office through a unique cooperation program developed with the hosting government, and this is mostly done in the fields. More practical ways of attaining or realizing the rights of the women and children are often the focus for the country programs. The work often being done by the UNICEF is fully a part of the United Nations systems as they interrelate with some of its U.N agencies as in the case of Syria, where they have to work with (UNRWA)UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees at the country, region and international levels (Jacqui and Kathy, 2013). The current, UNICEF program support of Syrian refugee children analysis show that their aim and objective fit perfectly with those of the U.N in that the role of the UNICEF of providing proper food and health care to underprivileged women and children of the world. Actually coincides with the U.N objectives of wanting to be at the forefront in promoting human rights and promotion of cooperation among nations to solve international problems. It is under these objectives of the U.N that many of its agencies have had to focus on Syria and the children who have been caught in the middle of the conflict. An example of their interdependence is when UNICEF and other agencies under the U.N raised concerns that even the children removed from the Syrian fighting are at great risk of malnutrition and respiratory disease mainly due to the lack of adequate housing and resources, especially during the severe weather conditions (United Nations, 2006). Under the directives of the U.N, UNICEF, in response has been providing, to many of the (IDP’s) displaced people and refugees within and outside the fighting areas blankets and clothes. UNICEF, in addition to providing primary emergency care, has tried to reestablish for many of the displaced children normalcy by initiating programs where they could resume their educational activities. The commitment of UNICEF on the provision of basic education to these vulnerable youth and children has helped address the high school dropout rate that is typically associated with the displaced persons and refugees. The supported U.N agencies and UNICEF recreational and educational programs have shown to provide psychological relief and stability to these traumatized children (Karns & Mings, 2010:111). Challenges of UNICEF in Syria While much emphasis has been placed on highlighting most of the positives in UNICEF’s relief work as it carries its operations in Syria, it is important to note that the organization still faces some challenges. The most important of the issues is being underfunded which has a direct impact on its general effectiveness as it combats the Syrian refugee and children issues. According to UNICEF they state that of the needed 52 million Euros or $68 million for the expansion and continuation of the existing programs, they have only received 22 percent of it and this leaves a deficit, which affects the organizations operations in the country. Even though UNICEF and NGOs support programs might help address this issues, it has been noted that implementation of such programs only an approximate 5,450 children would be covered and that would still leave UNICEF facing a US$1 million funding gap (Özer, Şirin &Oppedal, 2013). Another major problem that is presenting a challenge to the UNICEF organization includes the language. This is an issue since the initial education school systems in Syria were entirely run in Arabic, while in the camps and Lebanese schools science and math are either taught in French or English, which only a few of the Syrian refugees can understand. According to a recent assessment conducted by the UNICEF shows that due to this many of the children in Syria are being placed in grades lower than they initially attended in Syria. The difference in curriculum makes it even harder for the refugee children and the agency to work effectively (Barnes, 2012). Sanctions placed on a large part of Syria also affect its socio- economic status and this indirectly affects UNICEF organization operations, in terms of labor and common commodities supply. Lastly, since there is no credibility associated with UNICEF, the greed, corruption and ineffectiveness affecting the U.N clouds most of UNICEF’s duties despite if it is effective or not (Heywood, 2011:79). In conclusion, close to six million Syrian children need urgent help, as the Syrian conflict extends into its fourth year. Many have lost everything, homes, family and friends. Children have been orphaned, killed or suffered injuries that are life changing. It is evident that the more the crisis continues the longer the damage being inflicted upon the lives and future of the children. Organizations such as the U.N and UNICEF have helped highlight the plight of the Syrian children as they have been forced to abandon their education got introduced to greater abuse risks, such as child marriage, and child labor. Unless people and stakeholders act, these organizations efforts may be lost and with that long-term and profound consequences for Syria, the region and beyond (Sharp & Blanchard, 2013). References Barnes-Dacey, J 2012, Lebanon: Containing Spillover from Syria. Policy Brief. Retrieved March 4, 2014 from http://ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR61_LEBANON_BRIEF.pdf Karns, MP & Mings 2010, International Organizations: The Politics of Global Governance, London: Lynne Rienner Publishers Heywood, A 2011, Global Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Southey J &Kathy Fleming, K (2013). Children in conflict, children in Syria speak out. Retrieved March 4, 2014. From https://www.unicef.org.nz/store/doc/Childrenin Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, 2013, The Challenges of Managing the Influx of Syrian Refugees. Note from a roundtable discussion series, 30 May. Beirut: Lebanese Center Özer, S, Şirin, S & Oppedal, B 2013, Bahçeşehir study of Syrian refugee children in Turkey. Retrieved March 4, 2014 from www.fhi. no/dokumenter/c83Fb3a78c. pdf. Sharp, JM & Blanchard, CM, 2013, Armed Conflict in Syria: Background and US Response. Congressional Research Service for Policy Studies. http://www.lcps-lebanon.org/agendaArticle.php?id=22 United Nations 2006, United Nations Development Goals. Retrieved March 4, 2014 from http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals Read More