New York - Damascus: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that nearly 7.5 million Syrian children are in need of humanitarian assistance, more than ever before, after thirteen years of conflict in Syria.
The organization stated in a press release issued today, Friday, that repeated cycles of violence and displacement, the crushing economic crisis, severe deprivation, disease outbreaks and devastating earthquakes last year have left hundreds of thousands of children vulnerable to long-term physical and psychosocial effects.
According to UNICEF, more than 650,000 children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition – an increase of about 150,000 in the four years since 2019. Chronic malnutrition, or stunting, causes irreversible damage to children's physical and cognitive development, causing It affects their ability to learn, produce, and what wages they can earn later in adulthood.
According to a recent survey conducted in northern Syria, 34 percent of girls and 31 percent of boys reported suffering from psychological trauma. Likewise, rapid assessments conducted in earthquake-affected areas indicated a higher proportion of children suffering from severe psychological trauma (83 per cent of respondents).
Sad birthday
“The sad truth is that in the coming days many of Syria’s children will celebrate their 13th birthday and become teenagers, knowing that their entire childhoods thus far have been marked by conflict, displacement and deprivation,” said Adele Khodour, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“Ultimately, children need a chance,” she continued. “They need a long-term, peaceful solution to the crisis, but we cannot wait for that to happen. In the meantime, it is crucial to ensure that children and families have access not only to basic services but also to We provide children with the necessary skills to build their future.”
A wave of violence is the worst
Although Syria no longer makes global headlines on a regular basis, the conflict continues to destroy children's futures and lives, according to UNICEF. The recent wave of violence - which began during the past six months in several regions - is the worst the country has witnessed in four years.
More than 13 million Syrians – nearly half the pre-conflict population – have been displaced inside or outside Syria and unable to return to their homes. More than two-thirds of the population needs humanitarian aid.

Children pay a heavy price
UNICEF indicates that humanitarian funding has fallen to its lowest levels ever, both within Syria itself and for Syrians in neighboring countries. Nearly half of school-age children - 5.5 million - are out of school.
“A generation of children in Syria have already paid an unbearable price for this conflict,” Ms. Khader said. “Continued support from the international community is crucial to restoring the systems needed to deliver basic social services, such as education, water, sanitation, health, nutrition and social protection, and ensuring that no child is left behind.” In Syria, behind the scenes.
UNICEF provides assistance to millions
In 2023, UNICEF reached 15.8 million people – including 10 million children – with essential services and supplies across Syria. Of the people reached, 5.6 million people were affected by the earthquakes. This included 3.2 million children.
UNICEF and its partners reached more than 3.1 million people with essential nutrition services in 2023. Across Syria, nearly 560,000 children were reached, of whom nearly 300,000 received mental health and psychosocial support services.
UNICEF explained that this year it needs $401.7 million to provide important basic services to about 8.5 million people, including 5.4 million children. The greatest funding requirements are in the areas of water, sanitation, health and education, while protection remains a major priority.