Giving children a healthier start in life
UNICEF provides life-saving health and nutrition support, helping children grow healthy and reach their full potential.
Kashkash Al-Zayanat, Al-Hasakeh – In the villages surrounding Kashkash Al-Zayanat in rural Al-Hasakeh, families are rebuilding their lives after years of conflict, displacement and economic hardship. Despite the challenges they continue to face, families remain determined to give their children the healthy start in life they deserve.
For many mothers and caregivers, the UNICEF-supported health and nutrition centre in the village has become a trusted source of care. Families travel from neighbouring communities to access services close to home. With support from the Government of the United States, UNICEF helps ensure that children and mothers can access essential health and nutrition services at the centre, including consultations, nutrition screenings, medicines and nutritional supplies.
At the centre, children receive regular health check-ups and nutrition screenings that help identify malnutrition early. Depending on their needs, children may receive nutritional supplements or ready-to-use therapeutic foods to prevent or treat malnutrition. Children requiring specialised support are referred for further care and follow-up.
For families who have returned home with limited resources and are still recovering, these services are making a meaningful difference. By providing consultations, medicines and nutritional support free of charge, the centre helps ease financial pressures on parents, allowing them to use their limited income for other essential household needs.
Many families still face challenges that can affect children's health and nutrition, including limited access to nutritious food, safe water and adequate hygiene facilities.
To help children stay healthy and thrive, social and behaviour change workers conduct awareness-raising sessions for mothers and caregivers on nutrition, hygiene and disease prevention. They also guide families to the services available at the centre and encourage regular follow-up for children who need additional support.
"My child is doing better and has become more active," said Jouriya, a mother whose child received nutrition support at the centre. For mothers like her, seeing their children regain their strength brings reassurance and hope.
Health workers see similar improvements among children whose families continue treatment and attend regular follow-up visits.
"We see improvement in children's weight, growth and nutritional status."
As families continue to rebuild their lives across rural Al-Hasakeh, the UNICEF-supported centre is helping children grow healthier and stronger while providing mothers and caregivers with reliable care and support close to home.
In Syria, since the beginning of 2026, with support of the United States Government UNICEF has reached 39,916 children and 21,651 women with health and nutrition services. More than 103,679 children under five and 46,181 pregnant and breastfeeding women were screened for malnutrition, while 45,020 caregivers participated in individual counselling and group awareness sessions on infant and young child feeding, hygiene and prevention.
