For a more resilient population – Germany supports child protection, education and the provision of safe drinking water in Syria

DAMASCUS, 8 February 2024 –The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), through KfW, has contributed €30 million to UNICEF to strengthen the resilience of some of the most vulnerable children, women and communities in Syria through enhanced child protection services, safe learning environments and skills development as well as improved drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

In Syria, the conflict carries on unabated in several parts of the country. At the same time, the economic downturn across the country is deepening, basic social services for children and their families are collapsing, and disease outbreaks and climatic shocks are compounding an already dire situation for the children.  

The deadly earthquakes that struck on 6 February 2023 exacerbated the situation further by causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure and affecting more than 8.8 million people, including 3.7 million children.

“The future for millions of children in Syria is acutely at risk,” said Elke Löbel, Director for displacement and migration, crisis prevention and management at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. “With this contribution, we reaffirm Germany’s unwavering commitment to stand with affected families and to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable in Syria.” 

This partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany will help UNICEF to provide vulnerable children, including children with disabilities, and young people in earthquake-affected and other vulnerable areas equitable access to quality education services and safe learning environments. It will help children at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation and their caregivers to benefit from improved prevention, protection and response services. It will also enhance the access of vulnerable adolescents and youth to a package of learning, development and engagement services and opportunities. Vulnerable communities will also benefit from improved access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services as well the quality and reliability of these services.

“It is crucial we support the future generation in Syria to access the basic social services they so desperately need. With this invaluable contribution from Germany, we can support the children, help them recover and equip them with the skills they need to build a better future,” said Yasumasa Kimura, UNICEF Syria Representative.