Damascus:
After nearly 14 years of civil war in Syria, Save the Children has stated that approximately half of school-age children are not receiving an education, emphasizing the urgent need for action. The charity also highlighted that the majority of Syrian children require immediate humanitarian aid, including food, with at least half of them in need of psychological support to cope with the trauma of war.
“Around 3.7 million children are currently out of school and must be reintegrated immediately,” said Rasha Muhrez, the charity’s Syria director. “This accounts for more than half of all school-aged children.”
The recent rebel offensive that resulted in the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 has further exacerbated the situation, with over 700,000 people newly displaced, leading to disruptions in education and the use of schools as shelters.
The ongoing conflict, which began in 2011, has severely damaged Syria’s economy and infrastructure, leaving millions of children vulnerable. Muhrez noted that approximately 7.5 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Save the Children stressed the importance of ensuring children have access to education, healthcare, food, and protection. The impact of the war, natural disasters, and economic crises has deprived children of their basic rights, with many experiencing trauma due to losses and violence.
According to the charity, around 6.4 million children require psychological support to address the emotional toll of the conflict. Muhrez also highlighted the detrimental impact of sanctions on Syria, urging for their removal to better assist those in need.
Syria has been under stringent Western sanctions since the early stages of the war, including measures from the United States and European Union. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed hope for the lifting of sanctions by the incoming US administration.
Addressing the challenges of responding to the needs of the Syrian people with limited resources under restrictive measures, Muhrez emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions to aid those affected by the ongoing crisis.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
