opportunity for children in Syria

“My name is Apollo and I’m six years old and I live in London and I’m very worried that it’s not fair that we have everything we need and that children in Yemen don’t have anything.” Apollo wants to tell people about what’s happening in Yemen. He’s worried that children and families are in danger because of the war, missing out on school and don’t have food to eat. Last year he sent a letter to a young girl in Yemen - Razan* - who was injured by the conflict, via Save the Children, after seeing her story in one of the charity's campaigns. They have since struck up an extraordinary pen-pal friendship, sharing letter with their thoughts and hobbies, favourite animals and family trips. He's also raised money for Save the Children's Yemen appeal, by asking for donations instead of birthday presents and putting on concerts. Apollo and his family kindly allowed Save the Children to spend a couple of days with them at home near London, to could record his story and his plea for peace and support for families in Yemen. Hearing about the appalling situation in Yemen from a six-year-old is sobering and moving. Apollo is acutely aware of the difference between being a child in England and a child in a warzone. This story is proof that we can all do something to make the world a better place. Jonathan Hyams / Save the Children

At 7 months old, Nadira* is the youngest of eight children living with her parents in a displacement camp in Syria. Her father suffered an injury while working away in Lebanon, and now her mother Maryam* is trying to support the large family by doing agricultural work. Nadira* became malnourished due to the dire economic situation the family is facing. Save the Children is supporting partner organisation Hand in Hand to provide nutrition support to children in the displacement camp where the family live. Nutrition staff visited Nadira’s family and identified that she was malnourished – providing the family with therapeutic food (PlumpyNut) for the 7-month-old. Hand in Hand/Save the Children

Sandy* (7) lives with two of her siblings and her mother Amal* (35) in a crowded informal camp in the Gaza Strip. They were displaced on the first day of the war in October 2023, and have been displaced several times since then. Amal says life in the informal camp is miserable and intolerable, and that the living conditions and contaminated water mean her children are constantly sick with diarrhoea, vomiting, fevers and skin conditions. But she feels powerless to improve their situation and to keep them safe because they have nowhere else to go and cannot access basic services. When Sandy came down with a fever, vomiting and dizziness, Amal brought her to the hospital where Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit is providing life-saving healthcare for children and their families. Sandy received a check-up with a Save the Children nurse and was provided with zinc and rehydration salts to help her recover. Our health workers are providing inpatient care for children with severe blast injuries and other emergency cases such as burns from campfires. Our teams are also providing primary healthcare for children who have infectious diseases and other illnesses. Sacha Myers / Save the Children