Syria continues to represent one of the world’s most complex emergencies in the world. And for millions of vulnerable children living in and around the country, every day they must wait for help is one day too many.

That was UNICEF’s message to the world at a recent convening of world leaders to discuss the country’s multi-layered crisis fueled by over a decade of war. Humanitarian needs in Syria of today are unprecedented, according to its latest assessment, aggravated by displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure and sweeping social and economic collapse. Some 90 percent of the population lives in poverty.

Syria is also one of several countries feeling the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine, as global market upset sends food prices soaring.

Aya, 14, looks at her old school, damaged by the conflict, in Dara’a Albalad, south Syria, on Feb. 7, 2022. With support from Educate A Child and other partners, UNICEF completed the rehabilitation of four schools in the community, enabling over 2,600 students, including Aya, to go back to school in a safe environment. Read more. © UNICEF Syria/Shahan

For most, the current situation represents some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances the people of Syria have faced since the beginning of the crisis 11 years ago. An estimated 14.6 million people — including 6.5 million children — are in need of humanitarian assistance, a peak number that reflects that added burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing turbulence in the global economy and the impacts of sanctions.

UNICEF signals need for more resources to scale up recovery in Syria

Earlier this month, the UN Security Council renewed a resolution permitting UN partners to deliver assistance to embattled northern Syria — a move UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called  a “critical milestone”. But Russell was also quick to point out the urgent need to mobilize more resources to scale up recovery efforts all across the country.

“Most of the basic systems and services children depend on – health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and social protection – have been cut to the bone,” Russell said, speaking at a two-day conference in Brussels. “There is an entire generation struggling to survive.”

There are significant needs in all major UNICEF program areas. Water, sanitation and hygiene systems and services need shoring up. Millions of children need nutrition support and improved access to health care.

Ishak, 2, is screened for malnutrition by a member of the UNICEF-supported mobile health and nutrition team in Jarba village, east Ghouta, rural Damascus, Syria, on April 3, 2022. © UNICEF/UN0634997/Belal

UNICEF focus, as always, is on rebuilding critical systems while strengthening resilience; supporting and improving sustained, equitable and safe access to essential services in areas where needs are highest.

Syria’s recovery will also take investing in — and removing barriers to — children’s education. With help from UNICEF and partners, which include local communities, teachers, civil society and international organizations, an estimated 4.5 million children have been able to access some form of learning; yet there are still more than 3 million Syrian children out of school, children who are more likely to fall prey to child labor, early and forced marriage, trafficking and recruitment into the fighting.

UNICEF continues to lead efforts toward rehabilitating schools, setting up curriculum and training personnel to keep children catching up and learning.

UNICEF helps out-of-school children continue learning in a safe space with the help of volunteers at the Al-Hol camp in northeast Syria. © UNICEF/UN0610596/

There are also 2.8 million Syrian refugee children living in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey, and like Syria, these neighboring countries are also feeling the effects of the war in Ukraine in the form of increased food insecurity and malnutrition rates, effects that disproportionately impact refugee and displaced families. Only 2 percent of refugee households in Jordan are estimated to meet their essential food needs, according to UNICEF. Nearly 750,000 children in Syrian neighboring countries are out of school.

UNICEF is on the ground in Syria working with partners to reach more children

UNICEF continues to rely on its strong longstanding presence on the ground and its partnerships with local communities and organizations across multiple sectors to reach more children and families. Given Syria’s limited power and fuel supplies, UNICEF focuses on “climate smart” approaches, adapting to increasing water scarcity and deteriorating water quality and investing in climate-resilient technologies and systems with a focus on renewable energies.

UNICEF is also working to scale up unconditional cash transfers for the most vulnerable children – including children with disabilities and children in poor urban areas. Linking cash assistance to case management of individual children has been shown to help families avoid harmful coping strategies.

UNICEF continues to call for an end to the war — and an end to all grave violations against children, including the killing and injuring of children. There are nearly 13,000 verified reports of children being killed or injured in Syria since conflict started, and the total is likely much higher.

“Until a sustainable solution can be reached,” Russell said, “UNICEF and our partners will continue to do everything we can to reach every child, wherever they are.”

A UNICEF staff member helps out a child in Syria. © UNICEF/Syria2019/Khudr Al-Issa

UNICEF’s emergency humanitarian action plan for children in Syria and Syrian children in neighboring countries remains underfunded by well over half. Support UNICEF’s lifesaving work. Donate today.

Top photo: Displaced Syrian children help their parents distribute winter clothes from UNICEF at the Al-Hol camp in Hasakah, northeast Syria, on March 2, 2022. The combined effects of Syria’s economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic and over a decade of conflict have increased hardships across the country, prompting UNICEF to seek support to scale up its emergency response. © UNICEF/UN0612159/Souleiman