Syrian Response
Total population: 18.4 million
Total population under 18: 8.2 million
Children affected by conflict: 5.8 million
Number of War Child projects in 2017: Five
Number of implementing partner organisations: Two
Number of partners providing funding: One
Total child participants: 83,780 (43,044 girls and 40,736 boys)
Total adult participants: 4,722 (2,585 women and 2,137 men)
Why We’re There
Syria has been beset by violence and instability for over seven years. The country’s civil war has seen indiscriminate bombing in civilian areas. Some 6.1 million people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety. The remaining population faces widespread shortages of food, water and health care - some 13.1 million people inside Syria are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.
Syria’s children are the ones who have suffered most from the effects of the country’s brutal civil war. Children have no safe place to learn, play or live in peace with their families. Among the refugee population, early marriage and child labour are becoming increasingly common as families struggle to survive.
The ongoing conflict continues to limit access to education. An estimated 1.75 million school-aged children inside Syria and more than 40 per cent of Syrian refugee children remain out-of-school. More than a third of the country’s schools are either damaged, destroyed, used as shelters or occupied by armed groups. Learning environments are unsafe and reports of attacks on schools are common.
What We Do
War Child has been actively responding to the Syrian crisis since 2012. War Child is currently the leading agency providing emergency psychosocial support and education services to Syrian children in Lebanon. We are also present in Jordan to support the urgent needs of displaced Syrian children through our education and child protection programmes.
The aim of our Syrian Response is to ensure the improved psychosocial wellbeing and resilience of the thousands of children taking part in our programmes. These programmes - together with our network of ‘Safe Spaces’ - allow children to process their experiences and be able to plan for a better future.
Our Projects
Can’t Wait to Learn:
Global programme to provide conflict-affected children with quality education - no matter where they live. The programme sees children play curriculum-based educational games on tablets to learn in an effective and fun way. In Jordan the programme is currently being trialled to respond to the urgent education needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable children from host communities.
Back to the Future:
Major consortium-led education initiative for refugee children affected by the crisis in Syria.The project ensures Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and Jordan can access education and vital psychosocial support.
Time to Be a Child:
Project to set up a network of Safe Spaces across Lebanon where vulnerable Syrian refugee children can play, learn and develop in peaceful environments.
Child Friendly Space:
Recreational activities delivered in the UNHCR refugee registration centre in Lebanon. These activities enable child refugees to cope with the effects of their displacement and help make the waiting period during registration less stressful for both parents and children.
Strengthening Protection and Resilience:
This programme is designed to actively engage communities to enhance protection and build the resilience of both children and caregivers within refugee and host communities.