A Syrian mother’s dream to see her children free from hunger and suffering

“I try to make sure my children eat, even if it means I go without,” Um Muhammad says. “But sometimes, there’s simply nothing left.”

Um Muhammad* never imagined a life where every meal would be a struggle. Before the conflict, she and her husband built a home filled with laughter, warmth, and security for their seven children. But those days have faded, replaced by the harsh reality of displacement and uncertainty.

“Everything changed in an instant,” she says, her voice heavy with exhaustion. Years of instability uprooted her family, leaving her alone to shoulder the weight of survival. Now living in a camp in Northwest Syria, she faces an unrelenting battle—finding enough food to keep her children nourished.

With no stable income, each meal is a challenge. “I stretch every bit of food as far as I can, but there are nights when my children go to bed hungry,” she admits. “No mother should ever have to see her child suffer like this.”

Across Syria, over 12 million people—more than half the population—face food insecurity. The consequences for children are devastating. Malnutrition stunts their growth, weakens their immune systems, and hinders their ability to learn. 

Many, like Um Muhammad’s youngest son, are at risk of long-term health complications due to lack of proper nutrition.

The economic toll is staggering. Nearly 90% of Syria’s population now lives below the poverty line. The cost of food has soared, making even basic meals unaffordable for countless families. In some areas, more than half a million children under five urgently need treatment for acute malnutrition.

For families like hers, humanitarian aid is a lifeline. Support from organisations such as the World Food Programme and World Vision Syria Response provides essential food baskets containing rice, lentils, and oil—simple but life-sustaining supplies that offer temporary relief.

“This food is more than just meals; it’s hope,” she says. “It means my children will have the strength to keep going, to dream of a better future.”

After 14 years of hardship, the situation remains dire, but a new chapter is beginning to emerge—one of resilience, security, and the determination to rebuild. Families are calling for more than just survival; they seek opportunities to regain independence and dignity.

“We don’t just want to survive; we want to rebuild,” Um Muhammad says firmly. “I dream of a day when I can provide for my family without relying on aid.”

Until then, they hold onto hope, steadfast in their pursuit of a new beginning.

Under this project, World Vision Syria Response distributed a total of 2,493 food baskets to families in need across 59 locations in Northwest Syria, along with 2,187 nutritional supplement portions for children and 360 for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

*Names changed to protect their identity.

Story and photos by Communications Officer Zaher Jaber and MEC Communications & Public Engagement Senior Advisor Karla Harvey