Syria Crisis

The recent transition of power in Syria, following the offensive launched by opposition groups, has created a historic opportunity for children and families. While it isn’t clear yet what the future holds, for many Syrians, both inside and outside the country, there’s a shared hope for a brighter future, after years of hardship and suffering.

Although the situation is calmer, this significant change in the context has occurred at a time when humanitarian needs have never been higher in Syria.

After almost 14 years of conflict, economic turmoil and the ongoing impacts of last year’s devastating earthquake — an estimated 16.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 7.5 million are children — the highest number since the beginning of the crisis. The conflict has shattered the country, forced millions out of their homes and schools, destroyed critical infrastructure, and made food and other basics unaffordable for many — leaving half a million children facing malnutrition. It has also left an entire generation of children with unimaginable mental wounds. 

Children have grown up knowing nothing but conflict and displacement. Children have experienced and witnessed extreme violence and suffered the losses of loved ones. Many children were killed and injured over previous weeks, and those who have been displaced are in urgent need of food, shelter and other basic services, as well as psychosocial support to deal with the long lasting trauma.

The needs are enormous. And they risk growing further during the winter months, as displaced families will be exposed to harsh conditions without proper protection. While the country’s transition and reconstruction must be led by Syrians, children and families need support from the international community, now more than ever.

The lives of a generation of young people have been devastated.  

Save the Children has been working in Syria since 2012, providing lifesaving assistance to children and their families. We are committed to continuing to support the lives and rights of children and families in Syria to help pave the way for a brighter, prosperous future.

Save the Children has been working in Syria since 2012. We have been there for children throughout the conflict, humanitarian and economic crises, and last year's devastating earthquake, and we continue to support Syrian refugees around the world. 

Save the Children has supported more than 8.3 million people including 4.8 million children. In 2024, we have supported over 960,000 people, including more than 520,000 children. With your support, we can help millions of children in their darkest hour. 

We provide access to food and clean water, reducing malnutrition and preventing hunger. We provide essential household items to survive harsh conditions, access to healthcare, as well as education services and temporary learning spaces. 

We provide critical psychosocial support for children impacted by the conflict. We work to reunite children with their loved ones. Learn more about how we support the well-being of children living in conflict. 

In response to the escalation of hostilities at the end of November, Save the Children has been delivering critical assistance to impacted families, focusing on ensuring children and families can access food, water and other essential relief items. This includes, providing families with cash so they can buy food, medicine, accommodation or anything else they need to piece their lives back together. 

With recent events, our teams are closely monitoring the situation and conducting rapid needs assessments through our partners. We stand ready to scale up our response to ensure children have the support they need.
 

Marah is 11 years old and has only ever known conflict and displacement.

Marah*, was displaced from her hometown first by conflict and then by the earthquakes that hit the region. She is currently residing in a camp in the northwest Syrian countryside. 

The conflict and the earthquakes have drastically impacted Marah’s life as it has affected her ability to go to school, which upset her a lot given she is passionate about her education. 

Save the Children along with partner organisation Bonyan and other NGOs worked to import and repurpose tents that were once used for administrative purposes into tents that could be used to be used to provide education facilities to children like Marah in the camp. 

Children like Marah need help. With your support, we can prepare better, respond faster, and protect longer, so that we’re there to help children when they need it most. Your donation could help meet the immediate needs of children when disaster strikes.