On May 5, 2019, families fleeing escalating violence in Idlib, Syria take shelter in an olive grove near the Turkish border.

UNICEF Is Helping Syrians Survive Amidst Violence

Millions of Syrians spent another Ramadan praying for the day they can go home again. UNICEF is on the ground helping.

Eight long years of conflict have taken their toll on Syria and its citizens. 2018 was the deadliest yet for children caught up in the endless civil war. Schools, hospitals, homes and water treatment facilities have been destroyed. An estimated 11.7 million people — including 5 million children — in Syria have have been affected by the violence. Some 2.5 million children are living as refugees in neighboring host countries.

How will UNICEF help Syrian children in 2019?

UNICEF has been on the ground in Syria and across the region since the violence began, working with partners to protect children, to help them cope and to give them a sense of normalcy so they can resume their childhoods. In 2019, UNICEF is working with partners to improve the lives of Syria's children in many ways, including: 

Vaccinate 3.4 million children under age 5 against polio

In April 2019, Dr. Almanti, Ministry of Health coordinator, vaccinates 4-month-old Malek in the UNICEF-supported health clinic in Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

In April 2019, Dr. Almanti, Ministry of Health coordinator, vaccinates 4-month-old Malek in the UNICEF-supported health clinic in Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan. Malek was born in the camp. His family came to Jordan from Raqqa, Syria three years ago. © UNICEF/UN0303622/Herwig

Provide 2.1 million people with mine risk education

UNICEF supports mine risk education for children in schools in Aleppo, Syria.

In schools in Aleppo, students are taught how to move safely around the city. They are told, among other things, to avoid alleys and to stay in the middle of the road to avoid stepping on unexploded ordinance or landmines, which could cost them their life. A few years ago, children were advised to walk close to the buildings so they wouldn't be easy targets for snipers. © UNICEF/UN0287091/Grove Hermansen

Protect 682,000 children from extreme weather by distributing warm clothing kits and blankets

In January 2019, children and families huddle together after being forced to flee their homes in easter rural Deir-ez-Zor, Syria.

In January 2019, children and families huddle together after being forced out of their homes by violence in eastern rural Deir-ez-Zor, before beginning the arduous journey to safety at Al-Hol camp, almost 186 miles away. UNICEF distributed winter clothing kits and thermal blankets to keep children warm. At the camp, UNICEF is providing health care services and malnutrition screening, and ongoing tracking and family reunification support. © UNICEF/UN0277728/Souleiman

Reach more than 1.7 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 with education services

Five-year-old Fatme (center) enjoyed her first day of UNICEF-supported preschool in Aleppo, Syria in 2019.

Five-year-old Fatme (center) enjoyed her first day of UNICEF-supported preschool in Aleppo, Syria in 2019. She's looking forward to starting in the 'real' school where her older brothers are enrolled. © UNICEF/UN0287087/Grove Hermansen

And more

UNICEF and partners provide water, nutrition, education, health care, protection, counseling and more to vulnerable Syrian children and their families. To maintain ongoing assistance and services, UNICEF needs your support. 

Help UNICEF deliver lifesaving assistance to Syria's children. 

 

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Top photo: On May 5, families fleeing violence in Idlib, Syria, take shelter in an olive grove near the Turkish border. © UNICEF/UN0309707/Watad