Photo essay

Supporting the health and well-being of families and children

UNICEF, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, is helping families and children in Syria access life-saving health services and build a brighter future

By UNICEF Syria

Nojoud and her three year old son, Nour, receive medicine from Dr Samia. — UNICEF/UNI935103/Johnny Shahan

27 January 2026

Bab Moussalla, Damascus - With the generous support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, UNICEF is strengthening access to essential health services for children and their caregivers at health centres across Syria, helping families cope with economic hardship and the limited number of health facilities.

In Damascus, one UNICEF-supported health centre plays a critical role in addressing health needs through routine check-ups, growth monitoring, and treatment for childhood illnesses. The centre delivers comprehensive, free services for children and women, including consultations, prescriptions, laboratory tests, X-rays, health education, and referrals. It also provides essential medical assistive devices for children with disabilities such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, crutches, and nebulizers.

Paediatrician Samia examines 3-year-old Abdul-Majid. — UNICEF/UNI935090/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines 3-year-old Abdul-Majid at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Msalla, Damascus.

Alaa, a mother of a three-year-old Abdul-Majid, brought her child for a medical check-up said:

“My husband has been jobless for a year. This centre has lifted a huge burden off our shoulders,”

Amid the difficult economic situation of the country, access to free health services help ease the financial pressure on families with limited resources.

The centre also conducts free blood tests to detect conditions like anemia and infections, with medication available on-site to ensure timely treatment without extra costs. When specialised care is required, children are referred for eye examinations, medical glasses, and assistive devices, enabling those with disabilities to participate actively in daily life.

Paediatrician Samia examines eight-year-old Iman. — UNICEF/UNI935096/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines eight-year-old Iman at a UNICEF supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “I want to become a doctor like Dr Samia, so I can help children get better quickly and stop their throats from hurting,” Iman said.

Paediatrician Samia provides Salwa, Iman’s mother, with medicine for her daughter and explains how to use it. — UNICEF/UNI935094/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia provides Salwa, Iman’s mother, with medicine for her daughter and explains how to use it, at a UNICEF supported health centre in Moussalla, Damascus. “Our work is crucial for children, especially now that so many Syrian families are vulnerable,” Dr Samia said. “The demand for our services is increasing every day.”

Paediatrician Samia administers a boy’s medicine while explaining its use to his mother. — UNICEF/UNI935091/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia administers a child’s medicine and explains its use to the child’s mother at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “I work as a health professional in a public hospital in Damascus,” said Marwa. “Whenever my children are sick, I bring them here. The services are excellent, and the staff are trustworthy.”

Paediatrician Samia examines two year old Louay. — UNICEF/UNI935097/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines two year old Louay at a UNICEF supported health and nutrition centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Even though our home is far away, I trust the doctors here to care for my children and give them the right treatment,” Anwar said.

Paediatrician Samia examines Nour, 3. — UNICEF/UNI935100/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines Nour, 3 at a UNICEF-supported health and nutrition centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Unlike many children, he loves coming to the clinic and greets every healthcare worker warmly,” she said.

Layan, 8 months old, sits with her aunt Maysaa as she speaks with paediatrician Samia. — UNICEF/UNI935092/Johnny Shahan Layan, 8 months old, sits with her aunt Maysaa as she speaks with paediatrician Samia at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Our whole family comes here whenever the children are unwell,” said Maysaa. “The centre is trustworthy, and I’m grateful to receive free medicines and services.”

In addition to service delivery, UNICEF supports training for health workers on newborn care, early childhood development and parenting, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

While waiting for consultations, caregivers and children participate in health education sessions focusing on immunization, hygiene promotion, prevention of communicable diseases, and outbreak-specific messages, including cholera and PSEA. Dedicated health workers create a safe and welcoming environment, engaging children through simple activities such as coloring, games, or storytelling to help ease anxiety.

Hanan, a UNICEF-supported health worker, is surrounded by a group of young children playing with balloons — UNICEF/UNI935085/Johnny Shahan Hanan, a UNICEF-supported health worker, leads a group activity for children at a health centre in Baba Moussalla, Damascus. “We strive to support children not only medically, but in every aspect of their well-being,” said Hanan. “I want them to feel comfortable and happy coming to the health centre, rather than anxious.”

Hanan, a UNICEF-supported health worker, holds 5-month-old Nuha who is holding a big blue balloon. — UNICEF/UNI935088/Johnny Shahan Hanan, a UNICEF-supported health worker, holds 5-month-old Nuha during a group activity at the health centre in Baba Moussalla, Damascus. “I love my work as a health educator,” she said. “Here at the centre, I guide caregivers on how to protect their children’s health. This work is vital because every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and strong.”

A health worker draws blood from nine year old Abdul Hadi in the laboratory — UNICEF/UNI935099/Johnny Shahan A health worker draws blood from nine-year-old Abdul Hadi in the laboratory of a UNICEF supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “I closed my eyes, and it was over very quickly,” he said.

Paediatrician Samia examines 40-day-old Adam with his mother looking on. — UNICEF/UNI935104/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines 40-day-old Adam at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Whenever my children are unwell, this is the first place I bring them. The staff treat them with such care, which gives me peace of mind,” his mother, Aya, said.

Paediatrician Samia examines 4-year-old Ahmed. — UNICEF/UNI935105/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines 4-year-old Ahmed, at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Life has become so heavy and exhausting. The free medical services for my children lift a great weight off our shoulders,” Duaa, his mother, said.

Paediatrician Samia examines Ahmed, 4. — UNICEF/UNI935106/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia examines Ahmed, 4, at a UNICEF-supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “I love the doctor here, and the taste of the medicine she gives me,” Ahmed said.

Paediatrician Samia explains to one of the mothers how to give the medicine to her child. — UNICEF/UNI935107/Johnny Shahan Paediatrician Samia explains to one of the mothers how to give the medicine to her child at a UNICEF supported health centre in Bab Moussalla, Damascus. “Our role is not only to provide medical care, but also to make the health centre a safe and welcoming place, where children feel cared for and parents feel supported,” Samia explained.

“The doctors here are so kind and make me feel safe. They give me the medicine I need to get better. They’re the best!”

Jawa, 10, commenting on how welcoming the medical staff are.

In 2025, thanks to the Government of the Republic of Korea, UNICEF provided primary health care services to over 200,000 children through 86 clinics and mobile teams across Syria, helping vulnerable children grow healthy, safe, and strong.

Supporting the health and well-being of families and children

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