GENEVA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Various UN agencies on Tuesday issued statements voicing their grave concerns over the military developments in northeast Syria, which had already reportedly resulted in many civilian casualties and the displacement of at least 160,000 civilians.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Tuesday issued a statement, saying that the security situation in northeast Syria remains highly volatile with continued reports of airstrikes and ground attacks as the military operation continues.
"On both sides of the border, civilian injuries and deaths are being reported. At least 160,000 people have been displaced since the start of military operations," the statement said.
"We are particularly concerned for the civilians at Ein Issa camp, hosting approximately 13,000 people, and where services, including provision of water and bread, have been suspended since Oct. 13," the agency said.
The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a statement Tuesday that it estimated that nearly 70,000 children have been displaced since hostilities in northeast Syria escalated nearly a week ago.
"UNICEF can confirm the deaths of at least four children, and the injuries of nine, in northeast Syria. Seven children have reportedly been killed in Turkey," the statement said.
As violence continues to escalate, UNICEF said it renews its calls on all parties to the conflict and those who have influence over them to protect children at all times.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said in its statement that already weakened health services in northeast Syria have been severely impacted by the latest security developments.
"Across northeast Syria, shortages of health workers is widespread as they too have been among those displaced by the ongoing insecurity, aggravating an already critical situation and further depriving underserved populations of access to medical care," the statement said.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Syria, where heavy fighting is displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
"According to humanitarian partners, an estimated 190,000 people have fled their homes in northeast Syria since the latest round of military operations began last Wednesday," it said.
Responding to a question from a journalist at a press briefing Tuesday here, Jenifer Fenton, for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, said that the Special Envoy still expected the first meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee to go ahead as planned on Oct. 30, despite the crisis in the northeast.
