After 14 years of crisis, Syrian children face unprecedented challenges
As Syria marks 14 years of crisis, children remain the most vulnerable victims of conflict. The fall of the former government on 8 December 2024, has reshaped the nation’s future, yet uncertainty casts a long shadow over what comes next. For Syria’s children – many of whom have known nothing but conflict – this moment could bring hope, but only if urgent action is taken to address their most pressing needs, particularly their mental health and well-being.
Years of violence, displacement, and instability have left millions of Syrian children struggling with deep emotional and psychological wounds. With 7 million children now requiring humanitarian assistance, more than 6 million are in urgent need of protection services, including mental health and psychosocial support. Children have endured the loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes, and the trauma of repeated displacement – leading to widespread anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Every day, we meet children who have forgotten how to laugh or play. They are fearful, withdrawn, and traumatised by the horrors they have witnessed,” said Emmanuel Isch, World Vision’s Syria Response Director. “If we fail to address their mental health and immediate basic needs now, we risk losing an entire generation to the invisible scars of war.”
Beyond the immediate dangers of conflict, the long-term psychological toll on Syria’s children is devastating. More than 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed, leaving 2 million children out of school. Education, a key source of stability and hope, is slipping away, increasing the risk of child labour, early marriage, and exploitation. The lack of safe learning environments further exacerbates stress and anxiety among children.
“We cannot rebuild Syria without first healing its children. These children have endured more than any child should, and they deserve a future where they feel safe, supported, and hopeful again.”
Malnutrition levels among Syrian children are at all-time high, with more than half a million children under age 5 requiring urgent treatment for acute malnutrition. Hunger not only affects physical health but also contributes to severe emotional distress, as children struggle with constant insecurity and fear for their survival. Moreover, millions of children have been displaced, with many losing parents or caregivers. The psychological burden on these children – who are forced to take on adult responsibilities far too soon – is overwhelming. The lack of mental health support leaves them without a safe space to express their grief and fears.
World Vision has been working on the frontlines of Syria’s humanitarian crisis for over a decade, providing critical support to children and their families. In 2024 36 projects were implemented across Syria, Jordan, and Türkiye, impacting the lives of more than 5.4 million people, including 2.9 million children, through programmes focused on health care, nutrition, education, and mental health.
“We cannot rebuild Syria without first healing its children,” said Isch. “These children have endured more than any child should, and they deserve a future where they feel safe, supported, and hopeful again.”
Since December 2024, World Vision has intensified our efforts to support children’s well-being:
Emergency relief and protection services: We have delivered essential aid, including food, medical care, and shelter, while integrating mental health support into every intervention.
Health care: We supported Aleppo’s remaining hospital, reaching more than 6,000 children through our local partner, Hand in Hand for Aid, with emergency kits, outpatient paediatric services, medications, and malnutrition screenings.
Fuel and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): We provided hygiene parcels and heating fuel to over 4,000 individuals during the cold winter months and supported Aleppo’s hospital with fuel, daily food supplies, and medical consumables.
Syria is entering a new phase, and the situation is dire and critical. In 2024, the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan required $4.07 billion to address the needs of 10.8 million vulnerable people. However, by the end of January 2025, only 34.5% of this requirement had been met, leaving a significant funding gap.
“I desire a war-free Syria; a safe home for everyone. I want it to be a home for us all,” said 15-year-old Kareem from Aleppo. His words echo the hopes of millions of Syrian children who long for peace, stability, and the chance to heal.
By Khuzaima Jaber, Advocacy and Communication Manager
World Vision urges donors, governments, and humanitarian organisations to act now – because every child deserves more than just survival; they deserve the opportunity to thrive.