Unaccompanied Syrian children in need of mental health support

• Unaccompanied and separated children are at particular risk of physical and mental health issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10th December, 2024 - International aid agency World Vision is calling on the international community to prioritise Syrian children, many of whom are unaccompanied and will need mental health support to cope with 14 years of conflict and the ongoing impact of last year’s devastating earthquake. 

Earlier this year the child focused organisation released a report that highlighted how vulnerable Syria’s children are. World Vision’s report “Lost and Alone” showed the devastating and desperate living situations that many Syrian children have been forced to endure. 67% of community members in Aleppo and Idleb reported knowing many unaccompanied and separated children in their areas who had lost parental care in the earthquakes. 73% reported noticing an increase in child marriage, especially in Idleb (85%). 

“One day of conflict is too much for a child to cope with, let alone 14 long years. On top of this, thousands of children were orphaned or displaced following last year’s earthquake. These children have been left with no choice but to survive alone, with many being forced into child labour or child marriage. The long-term impacts of numerous ongoing crises will be severe, and we must prioritise mental health support as plans for Syria’s future are being put in place,” said Emmanuel Isch, Response Director, World Vision Syria Response

World Vision is urgently calling for the prioritisation of peace and the protection of all civilians, especially children. The NGO has been actively involved in addressing the Syrian crisis across Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan since 2011 and will continue to work with communities across these countries to support the most vulnerable. 

“Syrian children deserve peace, safety, love and protection. No child should experience the traumas they have been forced to endure for 14 years. World Vision will continue to deliver for vulnerable children who have been impacted by this devastating conflict. We call on the international community to do the same.  More than 90% of Syrians live under the poverty line. The UN asked for US $4.07 billion to fund its response inside Syria this year, and to date only 31.6% of that money has been given. This must change. Syrian children must be prioritised, now and in the future.” Said Isch

"Immediate action is required to protect children and ensure they receive the assistance they critically need, including mental health support. Humanitarian organisations, like World Vision, must be guaranteed unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian workers must be prioritised to enable the safe and unrestricted delivery of lifesaving aid.” Said Isch

ENDS. 

NOTES TO EDITOR

For media enquiries, please contact:      

Khuzaimah Jaber 

Communications and Advocacy Manager – World Vision Syria Response  

Phone: +962 796497569  

Email: khuzaima_jaber@wvi.org  

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit  https://www.wvi.org/emergencies/syria-crisis-response or follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVision. 

For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/emergencies/syria-crisis-response or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVisionSR