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Protecting the Futures of Children Affected by Conflict in Syria and Iraq
Entering into the sixth year, the ongoing conflict in Syria has caused the largest humanitarian and protection crisis since World War II. Syrian children and their families have endured more than five brutal years of war. Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives. Homes, hospitals and schools have all come under direct attack. Families have been forced from their homes and livelihoods have been destroyed as a result of relentless violence and the disruption of basic services, such as water, health care and electricity. Neighbouring countries are also suffering the dire consequences of the humanitarian crisis, with the influx of over four million refugees.
UNICEF and its partners are committed to keeping Syrian children from becoming a ‘lost generation.’
The conflict significantly affects children’s physical and psychological wellbeing and development as they face exposure to violence, stress and separation from family members and friends. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable and underserved. Creating opportunities to prevent them from being drawn into violence and conflict is critical.
With the support of the Government of Canada, UNICEF is supporting the coordination of the No Lost Generation initiative to scale up and improve education, child protection and programs for adolescents, in Syria and within host communities in neighbouring countries. In 2014-2015, the Government of Canada contributed $107.7 million in funding to UNICEF to support the No Lost Generation initiative, which will benefit more than 1 million conflict-affected children in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey and Egypt.
The initiative helps to address the potential long-term consequences of conflict and displacement for a generation of children and young people through increasing school enrollment and providing vocational training and psychological support such as counselling. Investing in this generation is helping them to acquire the skills and knowledge they will need to rebuild their communities.
To read more about Global Affairs Canada supported projects, visit Global Affairs Canada’s International Development Project Browser.