War in Syria, children, and the refugee crisis
Source: http://www.worldvision.org
More than 1 million Syrian children have fled war in their homeland with their families, the United Nations says. The country's first polio outbreak since 1999 is complicating aid efforts and driving some families deeper into despair.
Here's background on the growing humanitarian crisis and World Vision’s response to the needs of refugee children and their families.
Most left their homes on short notice after facing shootings, bombings, and artillery fire. Often they arrive in the country of refuge with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Some have not even had a chance to grab their identity papers.
Winter is upon the region, and families need stoves, heating oil, blankets, and other necessities to keep warm and nourished.
In Jordan, about 40 percent of refugees are living in camps. The main camp in Jordan is Za’atari, near the northern border with Syria. It is home to about 114,000 people — twice the number it was designed to accommodate.
Children are also more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation in unfamiliar and overcrowded conditions. Families face pressure to marry girls off early, in an effort to reduce family expenses and help prevent sexual abuse.
In certain parts of Syria, children are now vulnerable to recent outbreaks of polio and measles, according to the World Health Organization. Experts fear other vaccine-preventable diseases will also affect internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee children under 5, since they have not received regular inoculations.
Many children lost their homes or witnessed violence and destruction. They continue to need food provisions, household supplies, education, and counseling to help them cope with their circumstances.
In Lebanon, the government has opened public schools to Syrian children, but language barriers, cost of transportation, and the poor state of the public education system keep many refugee children out of school.
We’re also offering classes for Syrian children to facilitate their enrollment in Lebanese schools and providing supplementary classes for those already enrolled in school.
Additionally, World Vision runs Child-Friendly SpacesExternal Link — safe areas where children can learn, engage in fun activities, and recover from emotional scars.
Aid efforts inside Syria are providing up to 70,000 people with clean water and health services.
In Jordan, World Vision provides refugee families with basic supplies, such as food, household items, and cash to pay rent. Remedial classes help children catch up on lost classroom time. It is scaling up efforts to help more people, including host families, make ends meet.
As winter closes in on Za’atari, World Vision is gearing up to rehabilitate older, unpaved parts of the camp to prevent flooding, and improve drainage and sanitation in case of heavy rainfall.
As many as 28,000 families in all three countries are slated to receive winterization kits through World Vision. Depending on the location, a kit includes a heater, fuel, blankets, and cash to cover the cost of heating their homes, or vouchers to buy winter clothing.
With reporting by Brian Jonson and Patricia Mouamar, World Vision communications staff in Lebanon.
Make a one-time gift to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Your donation will help us provide basic hygiene kits and food vouchers for refugee families, as well as established Child-Friendly Spaces to provide affected children with a safe place to play, learn, and interact with their peers.
More than 1 million Syrian children have fled war in their homeland with their families, the United Nations says. The country's first polio outbreak since 1999 is complicating aid efforts and driving some families deeper into despair.
Here's background on the growing humanitarian crisis and World Vision’s response to the needs of refugee children and their families.
How many people have fled their homes?
As of December 2, more than 6.5 million people have been displaced within Syria, and about 2.2 million have fled as refugees to neighboring countries.Does the number of refugees show any sign of slowing?
No. Thousands of refugees are leaving Syria every day. Their main destinations are Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iraq.What are the refugees’ greatest needs?
Refugees lack adequate shelter, clean water, food, and hygiene items.Most left their homes on short notice after facing shootings, bombings, and artillery fire. Often they arrive in the country of refuge with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Some have not even had a chance to grab their identity papers.
Winter is upon the region, and families need stoves, heating oil, blankets, and other necessities to keep warm and nourished.
Where are the refugees living?
Depending on which country refugees have come to, they have taken up residence in communities' abandoned buildings, sheds, spare rooms, garages, and in tent settlements on vacant land. Conditions are often crowded and unsanitary. Even so, families struggle to pay rent for these spaces.In Jordan, about 40 percent of refugees are living in camps. The main camp in Jordan is Za’atari, near the northern border with Syria. It is home to about 114,000 people — twice the number it was designed to accommodate.
What risks do children face?
Children are especially susceptible to malnutrition and disease due to lack of food and poor sanitary conditions. Many suffer from diarrheal diseases and dehydration. And coming winter weather further threatens their health, if left unprotected.Children are also more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation in unfamiliar and overcrowded conditions. Families face pressure to marry girls off early, in an effort to reduce family expenses and help prevent sexual abuse.
In certain parts of Syria, children are now vulnerable to recent outbreaks of polio and measles, according to the World Health Organization. Experts fear other vaccine-preventable diseases will also affect internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee children under 5, since they have not received regular inoculations.
Many children lost their homes or witnessed violence and destruction. They continue to need food provisions, household supplies, education, and counseling to help them cope with their circumstances.
What is the impact on refugee children’s education?
If not in a camp, the burden of rent makes it difficult for parents to afford books, uniforms, and tuition fees for their children. In some cases, children are being required to give up school and start work to help provide for their families.In Lebanon, the government has opened public schools to Syrian children, but language barriers, cost of transportation, and the poor state of the public education system keep many refugee children out of school.
How is World Vision responding?
In Lebanon, World Vision has assisted more than 190,000 Syrian refugees and their resident hosts. Help includes provision of food vouchers, hygiene kits, and projects to improve access to clean water and sanitation.We’re also offering classes for Syrian children to facilitate their enrollment in Lebanese schools and providing supplementary classes for those already enrolled in school.
Additionally, World Vision runs Child-Friendly SpacesExternal Link — safe areas where children can learn, engage in fun activities, and recover from emotional scars.
Aid efforts inside Syria are providing up to 70,000 people with clean water and health services.
In Jordan, World Vision provides refugee families with basic supplies, such as food, household items, and cash to pay rent. Remedial classes help children catch up on lost classroom time. It is scaling up efforts to help more people, including host families, make ends meet.
As winter closes in on Za’atari, World Vision is gearing up to rehabilitate older, unpaved parts of the camp to prevent flooding, and improve drainage and sanitation in case of heavy rainfall.
As many as 28,000 families in all three countries are slated to receive winterization kits through World Vision. Depending on the location, a kit includes a heater, fuel, blankets, and cash to cover the cost of heating their homes, or vouchers to buy winter clothing.
With reporting by Brian Jonson and Patricia Mouamar, World Vision communications staff in Lebanon.
Learn more
Check out our continued coverage of the Syrian refugee crisis on the World Vision BlogExternal Link and in World Vision magazineExternal Link.How you can help
Pray for children and families impacted by the violence in Syria. Pray especially for families who have been separated due to the conflict, and pray for emotional and physical protection for vulnerable children and families. Consider using our prayer points to help guide your prayers.Make a one-time gift to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Your donation will help us provide basic hygiene kits and food vouchers for refugee families, as well as established Child-Friendly Spaces to provide affected children with a safe place to play, learn, and interact with their peers.
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