Syria is a country located in the Middle East bordering Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and including Turkey. The Civil War started in Syria in March of 2011 and is still present today.
It’s been going on for 13 years.
There have been many theories on why this crisis started but the truth is that it was a forceful crackdown on peaceful students protesting against the Syrian government.
The ongoing crisis in Syria has triggered the largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time, affecting millions of people and extending its reach into surrounding countries. It caused a mass displacement, and over half of Syria’s population is displaced due to the continuation of hostilities, with an estimated 16.7 million requiring emergency aid in 2024.
Approximately 6.5 million are recognized as refugees and asylum-seekers, those are people who applied for refugee status. Another 7.2 million are displaced within Syria. Refugees from Syria are scattered in refugee camps.
Turkey is home to the largest population of Syrian refugees, with more than 3 million Syrians there. Lebanon has about 784,900 Syrians living in it, and more than 649,100 Syrians in Jordan, about 120,000 of them live in refugee camps. Many Syrian refugees struggle to afford basic necessities.
The war has held a devastating impact on the children of Syria.
Approximately 7.5 million children in Syria urgently needed aid, forcing many to flee homes. Many children have never known a time without war in Syria (UNICEF).
Children live in makeshift camps, and overcrowded shelters including many on the streets without basic needs like food, water and medical care. In poor housing, cold weather increases risks of many diseases such as pneumonia and other infections.
Many never sleep in warm places or sleep when they are full, they are usually always sleeping with hunger. The conflict had delayed the education system in Syria, with many schools destroyed or closed. As a result of that, 2.4 million children have been unable to attend school and leaving many others behind in their education.
Many children have been recruited by both government focus and armed groups to fight in the conflict putting them in harm and robbing their childhood. Young children have experienced trauma, anxiety, and depression and have little access to mental health services.
In 2023, World Vision reached over 2.8 million people, to help prioritize the well-being of families and children and families affected by the ongoing crisis. About 617,910 people lost their lives in the civil war.
The war affected many families and children and made it difficult for them to live a simple life.