UNICEF Executive Director calls for children to be at the heart of Syria’s recovery
NEW YORK (October 1, 2026) – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell was in Syria for a three-day visit, calling for children to be placed at the center of the country’s recovery as families return home.
With millions of Syrians returning home, Russell highlighted support for children and families as a key priority in Syria’s transition and recovery, including restoring access to education, health care, safe water and protection services.
Russell met with Government officials and other partners and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting children and young people across Syria. Discussions focused on the needs of returning families, the restoration of essential services, and greater investment in children and adolescents.
During the visit, Russell met children and families in communities rebuilding after years of conflict. In Rural Damascus, she visited a rehabilitated school, a maternal and child health center, and a rehabilitated water facility, where UNICEF-supported services are helping families regain access to essential education, health and water services.
"For more than a decade, the story of Syria was largely told through the lens of conflict, loss and displacement. Today, we are starting to see a story of resilience and hope,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “I met children and families who have come home to rebuild their lives. This is the moment to put children at the heart of recovery efforts and invest in the health, education and water services they need to build a brighter future for themselves and for Syria.”
Since December 2024, an estimated 1.67 million refugees have returned to Syria from neighboring countries, while 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned, mostly to their areas of origin. Millions remain displaced, and many families are returning to communities where essential services and infrastructure have been severely damaged by years of conflict.
Humanitarian needs remain immense. Millions of children continue to require assistance, while communities receiving returning families face growing pressure on schools, health facilities, water systems and protection services.
UNICEF is calling for sustained support for children in Syria through flexible, predictable and multi-year funding. Continued investment is needed to strengthen education, health, water and child protection systems, support communities receiving returning families and ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.
UNICEF encourages the Syrian authorities to put the rights and needs of children at the heart of Syria’s future. Sustained investment in children is essential to laying the foundations for community recovery and the country’s long-term development.
#####
Notes for editors:
Multimedia materials available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Folder/2AMZIFW2FFUU
ABOUT UNICEF USA
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information please contact:
Nina Marie Costa, UNICEF USA, 973-519-5253, NMCosta@unicefusa.org