A Better Tomorrow: Syria’s Children Have Their Say

After eight years of destructive conflict, more than a third of Syrian children ‘always or frequently’ feel unsafe, as well as distressed and alone, according to a survey carried out for a new Save the Children report, “A Better Tomorrow: Syria’s Children Have Their Say”.  

Ahead of the major international Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region in Syria in Brussels this week, questionnaires and focus group discussions were carried out with children in four governorates in Syria that have been devastated by war.   

Half of those surveyed identify violence, family separation, the destruction of homes and vital infrastructure and lack of access to basic services like education and healthcare as “very serious” challenges facing them and their communities Despite this, the majority of children surveyed are hopeful about the future and their role in creating a better Syria, providing there is peace and stability. Since the start of Syria’s brutal conflict eight years ago, some 4 million children have been born and most know nothing but war. This survey only provides a snapshot of children’s experiences and further consultations should now happen to fully understand the recovery needs of all children and their communities. 

As the conflict enters its 9th year on March 15th, more than half of Syrian children are in need of humanitarian assistance and a third are out of school. Save the Children is calling on delegates to the Brussels III donor conference to publicly commit to supporting child-focused early recovery in Syria and provide targeted and sustained funding for key sectors to support this. Parties to the conflict and the international community must also take concrete steps to create the conditions for peace and protect children, while ensuring equitable access to basic and life-saving services.