Many of the displaced people live in camps or below-standard shelters, with no protection against extreme weathers, proper hygiene and at risk of violence. We have a long presence in Syria, specifically since 2017, where we have been providing humanitarian aid assistance to the most vulnerable children and their families.

After the earthquake that hit Syria in 2023, we have distributed cash for families to meet their immediate needs, and we provided psychological support to children and caregivers, so that they could express their emotions and develop strategies to cope with the traumatic experience.

Currently, we provide health care to adults and children with disabilities, including special services like psychotherapy, assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and orthopaedic materials. We also equip healthcare professionals, helping them to recognize signs of exploitation, abuse, and trauma in their young patients. A participant entered the rehabilitation center in Aleppo while suffering from paraplegia as a result of a cerebral haemorrhage due to direct trauma during the war:

“Life…Smiles back to me, I almost lost hope. I don’t know how to express my joy and gratitude to you. You gave me back my confidence, you gave me hope again.”

Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, we have been providing assistance to vulnerable children. The crisis has forced 2.1 million children out of school. An additional 1.3 million children are at risk of dropping out.

Schools are unusable, either due to damage, inaccessibility, or their use as shelters. This has led to overcrowded classrooms and compelled over a million children to attend double-shift schools, affecting their academic performance. Out-of-school children face a multitude of barriers to quality education. This includes child labor, child marriage, child exploitation, lack of identification, violence within schools, parental objections, and the cumulative psychological toll from the enduring crisis and extensive displacement.

That is why we rehabilitate schools to ensure they are accessible to everyone, also children with disabilities. We also distribute school items and financial support, to ensure children can attend school. And we organise courses to guide teachers on inclusive education, to support children with disabilities, emphasising an inclusive teaching approach disabled children.