The “Madad” Fund: helping children in crisis build a brighter future
A UNICEF partnership with the EU Regional Trust Fund to reach children affected by the Syria crisis
The EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis - or the Madad Fund - was established in 2014 to support children from both Syria and local communities get better access basic services, such as education, healthcare, water and sanitation, and protection.
UNICEF and the Madad Fund have partnered to reach hundreds of thousands of children and young people affected by the war in Syria. Combined with the support of governments, local partners and host communities on the ground, we are reaching hundreds of thousands of children and young people from refugee and local communities affected by the war in Syria.
Our joint priorities
The main priorities for the UNICEF- Madad partnership is to improve the lives of Syrian children and young people by providing the right opportunities for them to become empowered, skilled and active members of society, prepared to strengthen their communities and rebuild their lives.
As part of these core commitments and thanks to the generous support of the Madad fund, UNICEF launched “11” to mark eight years since the start of the war in Syria.
About the “11” music project
“11” is UNICEF’s first-ever children’s songs album, featuring children from Syria and neighbouring countries. With the support and talent of Lebanese composer Jad Rahbani, “11” revives children’s songs from the region originally produced in 1976.
The album’s development is part of UNICEF’s psychosocial support programme to help children affected by the Syria crisis.
“Psychosocial support including through a project like “11” with music and art has proven to help children cope with the shocks they’ve lived…” – Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa
The project uses music and songs to promote social cohesion. It gives children an opportunity to revive their connection with their heritage and the Arabic language.
UNICEF and Jad Rahbani held 11 workshops for nearly 300 children, including children with disabilities, to train them and record the rearranged version of the songs. The workshops included Jordanian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian, and Turkish children.