It would have been so nice to not be writing this. It's so much easier to moan about bike helmet law, or the latest twitter-spat, or how horrific peak-hour traffic is during March.

But complaining about those things just feels empty. Privilege of the worst kind.

Last year, when the world was marking the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflicts, there was widespread hope the violence wouldn't continue for much longer.

UNICEF

Syria has been locked in civil war for seven years, with many of the country's cities unrecognisable now.

Twelve months on, and that optimism was hopelessly misplaced. Twelve months on, and the conflict still rages. Twelve months on, children are still being hurt, being killed, and being denied their undeniable right to have a childhood.

READ MORE:
* UN approves 30-day ceasefire in Syria
* US forces kill 'more than 200' Russian fighters in Syria
* Syria bombing reinforces shape of new world order
* 13, cold and hauling concrete: The chilling reality of life in Syria's 'industrial city'
* Suspected Syria gas attack kills dozens, including children

It is near impossible for a kiwi to imagine what daily life must be like for the innocents caught in this crisis. I'm not even going to pretend I can imagine what life is like in an active war zone.

UNICEF

Syria refugee and Unicef goodwill ambassador Muzoon Almellehan has little left after fleeing Syria, with a memories book something she treasures.

Before the conflict, Syria was a modern nation. People were doctors, and teachers, and taxi drivers. Market places were full of goods and produce. Children played on streets rich with history and culture.

These days, those same streets - Aleppo, Homs, Ghouta - are unrecognisable.

I often wonder what we'd do if conflict suddenly erupted in New Zealand? Assuming the Wellington suburb I live in was subjected to endless assault, where would my family go? Where could we seek shelter? How would we source food, warmth or safety? What would we do if we found ourselves hungry, afraid, and under attack?

We don't have to think about those things.

Today is the seventh anniversary of the conflict in Syria. The war has changed a bit since last year. Cities have been taken. Sieges have been broken. But it's not over.

Hundreds of thousands of people are still trapped behind siegelines. Millions more have fled their homes, seeking shelter elsewhere in Syria or beyond. Hundreds of thousands more have lost their lives.

Conflict is now the leading cause of death among adolescents in Syria. In 2017 there were almost 1300 child casualties: 361 injuries and 910 deaths – 50 per cent more than in 2016. Another thousand or so children were recruited in combat.

An estimated 3.3 million children inside Syria are exposed to explosive hazards. Over 1.5 million people are now living with permanent, war-related injuries, including 86,000 people who have lost limbs.

These are only numbers that the United Nations could verify. The actual numbers are likely much higher.

So, no, the war is not over.

In the first two months of 2018 alone, 1,000 children were reportedly killed or injured in intensifying violence.

It is almost certain that simply by stating those numbers, there will be accusations that Unicef is sharing propaganda, stoking resentment against one side involved in this conflict, while siding with another.

Such accusations are utterly true, and they minimise the very real suffering being experienced by the millions of children caught up in this brutal conflict.

Unicef's sole concern, as it has always been, is for the children caught in the middle. We will always speak out whenever children are placed in harm's way, no matter who the aggressors are.

Down here, in our peaceful island paradise, we are insulated from the impact and outrages of the conflict. It is the countries around Syria feeling the pressure - surrounding countries are now hosting over 90 per cent of all refugees from Syria.

What can be done? Donations are always welcome. Even if the war were to end tomorrow, the work of rebuilding homes and cities will take many years, if not decades.

The work required for children to comprehend what they have experienced, and to try and return to a normal life will be even more challenging. This year alone, the work required for Unicef to respond to those affected by this crisis will amount to more than $1.6 billion.

You can rebuild a home. How do you rebuild a family? A sense of belonging? A childhood?

But, beyond donations, we need people to support Unicef's work and the work of all humanitarian agencies in Syria. We need public opposition to the conflict to grow. We need the world to demand that this violence come to an end. And we need to put the safety and well-being of children first.

The crisis in Syria is unprecedented in its complexity, brutality and length.

Understanding the events and influences and intricacies of Syria's conflict is incredibly difficult, especially when our evenings are spent watching Stranger Things on Netflix, rather than worrying about where the next mortar will land.

But, understanding the effect that seven years of devastation will have had on an innocent child, that is the most human thing any of us can do.

To support Unicef's work for children affected by the conflict in Syria, please donate here https://www.unicef.org.nz/causes/syrian-childrens-crisis

 - Stuff