Children holding hands in a circle in a refugee camp in Syria around a colourful parachute
Where we work

Syria

Syria has faced nearly 14 years of civil war, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Since 2012, War Child has partnered with local organisations to support young people affected by conflict.

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After nearly 14 years of violence and suffering, conflict is all children in Syria have ever known. 

Around 7 million children need humanitarian assistance due to a worsening economy, widespread displacement, and destroyed infrastructure. The country is also still recovering from the devastating February 2023 earthquakes and aftershocks, which killed over 5,900 people and affected 8.8 million. 

Now, as rebels take control of the country, children face further uncertainty. War Child hopes this marks the end of the war and tyranny that have claimed the lives of more than 30,000 children and devastated countless others. War Child will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in Syria to support children for years to come. 

Scale of the challenge

  • 7 M

    Children in need of humanitarian assistance

  • 1/3

    children have signs of psychological distress

  • 2.4 M

    Children out of school

Our work in Syria

War Child teams and partners have helped tens of thousands of children recover from the deep psychological scars of war and reached hundreds of thousands more through education programmes supporting teachers and schools. In 2023 alone, War Child supported nearly 200,000 children and adults. 

Farah drawing on a whiteboard.
Photo taken by War Child.
The War Child sessions have helped me a lot. It’s a lot of fun because we play and laugh and work together. Now, I don’t feel so stressed.
Farah, Syria

War Child Programmes Include:

Basic needs  

Delivering essential items like bread, hygiene and menstrual products, blankets, and warm clothing to families affected by the earthquakes and violence. 

Mental health support 

Providing mental health support through play and movement activities and psychological first aid for displaced and host community children in our Safe Spaces. Supporting key adults in their lives through self-care strategies, stress reduction and positive parenting training. 

Education 

Rehabilitating schools and setting up alternative learning centres and mobile classrooms so children on the move can continue their education. 

Community training 

Strengthening understanding of sexual and gender-based violence and its various forms through training for local psychosocial support workers. 

Offering technical and vocational courses, along with apprenticeship opportunities, to help young adults support their families.

 

Project Focus - Earthquake Emergency Response 

War Child and our partners quickly responded to the 2023 earthquakes, providing temporary shelters, sanitation, food, cash assistance, and vital psychosocial support for children. The response has reached over 75,000 people so far and continues in 2024/25. 

Children playing in a refugee camp in Syria.
Photo taken by War Child.
We won’t stop until every child living through conflict is safe from harm. But we can’t do it without you. 

Donate to War Child today and help us be there for children in Syria and other conflict zones around the world.

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