Investing in Syria's children and youth: a promise we all need to keep
No Lost Generation
Highlights
Ahead of the Brussels VI Conference - Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, No Lost Generation is releasing an advocacy brief highlighting that the needs of Syrian children have never been more urgent, despite the decreasing international attention on Syria. 2022 has seen the highest number of girls and boys in need ever recorded.
Syria continues to be a unsafe place for a child to live. Grave violations against children in conflict have continued, including the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools. The ripple effects of 11 years of war, destruction and the dramatic economic downturn have increased psychological distress of children and their families. In camps, children are struggling to survive, with many separated from their families. Moreover, 2.4 million children continues to be out of school in Syria.
In Lebanon, the economic crisis is having a devastating impact on key public health and education services. With the increase in food prices, food security has become a major concern. This is also creating a mental health toll for children and their families, with more youth presenting signs of psychiatric disorder. The worsening economic situation has pushed three in ten youths to stop their education.
Facing this unprecedented challenges, No Lost Generation recommends that all stakeholders involved in the Syria crisis response:
1. Work together with all stakeholders to bring an end to the conflict.
2. Protect children at all costs.
3. Preserve humanitarian assistance channels serving those in need.
4. Strengthen gender responsive humanitarian assistance and engage women's and youth organizations.
5. Invest in long term, reliable and flexible funding to protect and scale up durable solutions - including early recovery and resilience-focused initiatives, for Syrian children, in Syria and in host countries.
6. Empower communities and expand social protection schemes, to ensure that children and their families can cope with the multiple challenges they face.
Syrian children are hanging in there, but they cannot do it alone. They still need our support.
