Fears and dreams: turning hope into reality for Syria's children

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Fears and Dreams turning hope into reality for Syria's children
Thursday, March 14, 2019

On the eve of the 8th anniversary of the conflict in Syria, over 6 million Syrians are internally displaced and more than 5.6 million have been forced to seek refuge outside of Syria. In Syria alone, almost 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, 5 million of whom are children.

World Vision has worked with Syrian children since the war began. We believe that it is vital to consult children and young people on issues which affect them. When we empower and engage with children and young people, they become powerful agents of their own change.

As this anniversary approaches, World Vision have been speaking to Syrian children living in Jordan and Lebanon about their hopes and dreams, where they feel safe, and what they think the world can do to help Syria. 

We’ve also spoken to these children’s peers in over a dozen peaceful countries – places like the UK, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Children everywhere hope to become teachers and doctors, and many worry about war or climate change or losing their parents. But for the Syrian children we’ve spoken to, their fears are much more imminent, and their dreams often seem much further away.

If we are serious about helping the children of Syria fulfil their very achievable ambitions, then the international community must step up its game. This report sets out the key ways in which the international community can provide hope and a future to the children affected by Syria’s wars.