The situation of children in Syria
A turning point for Syria’s children and young people
For nearly 60 years, UNICEF has stood by Syria’s children, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Syria ratified in 1993. With six field offices, and 260 dedicated staff, 43 per cent of whom are women, UNICEF, together with its partners, is on the ground strengthening systems, scaling up services in the social sector and delivering life-saving supplies. From education and social protection, to health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and child protection, UNICEF is reaching every child, everywhere.
Yet the conflict that erupted in 2011 changed everything. As violence spread and needs deepened, UNICEF shifted its focus, responding to the urgent needs of most vulnerable children and women across the country. Today, Syria remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. In 2025, 16.7 million people, including 7.5 million children are in need of humanitarian support, 2.45 million children are out-of-school, and 2 million children are at risk of malnutrition. Recent clashes in various parts of the country clearly underscore the fragility of the situation on the ground, a reality made even more dangerous by nearly 300,000 explosive ordnances contaminating the country, placing children’s lives under constant danger.
“The time to act is now! Children cannot and must not wait any longer.”
Despite these immense challenges, and for the first time in over five decades, Syria stands at a historic turning point, one that holds new hope for children and young people. The political transition, new leadership, and renewed focus of ministries and institutions mark a decisive turning point, a powerful moment of hope emerging after nearly 14 years of conflict.
Over 500,000 Syrians returned from neighbouring countries. Inside Syria, more than 1.5 million displaced people returned to their homes—more than 60% are children. The path to durable solutions is opening. The lifting of sanctions represents another major step that can ease the suffering of most vulnerable children and women. It will remove barriers to humanitarian assistance, and will further support recovery and development efforts, provided it is met with swift, and principled actions.
These shifts offer a chance to rebuild lives, restore rights, and reconnect children with education, safety and services. They pave the way for stronger humanitarian access, social cohesion, national recovery and real progress toward sustainable development for every child and young person.
UNICEF’s commitment: Real hope, real action
Since 1970, UNICEF has stood with Syria’s children on the ground. Now, we are intensifying our efforts to drive sustainable change where it matters most. Our programme is agile, fit for purpose, rooted in child rights, aligned with national priorities, and designed to adapt to evolving needs, laying a foundation for recovery and sustainable development.
Our programme’s strategic shifts include:
One Syria, one strategy
Unified action through our six field offices.
Sustainable systems strengthening
Supporting strong institutions for improved child-focused services.
Alignment with the UN
Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 10 and 16.
UNICEF’s priority areas are clear: protecting every child, ensuring access to quality inclusive education, child protection, healthcare and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and strong social policy systems. These core areas are supported by eight cross-cutting enablers that drive integrated programming and transformation through social behaviour change, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, mental health, early childhood education, climate resilience, to gender equality, youth empowerment and accountability to the very communities we serve.
In this critical moment, UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and empower Syria’s children. Our bold, principled, and results-driven country programme is designed to help Syria move forward on the path to recovery, lasting peace and sustainable development. The cost of inaction is high, every moment lost risks millions of lives and jeopardises the future of an entire generation.
Act now this is the moment to deliver for Syria’s children and young people
Protect every child:
We urge full adherence to the Convention on the Rights of the Child — so every child can survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.
Put children at the centre of Syria’s future:
Children must be prioritised in policy, legislation service delivery and investment. An inclusive national dialogue that listens to every child—girls and boys, especially the most vulnerable is essential. Their voices must shape Syria’s present and future.
Invest in systems that save lives:
We urge partners to provide flexible, sustained funding to rebuild Syria’s broken health, nutrition, protection, education, water and social protection systems.