An extraordinary school in Suruç houses 1,700 Syrians fleeing violence in Kobani
by Ayberk Yurtsever SURUÇ, Turkey, 24 September 2014 – Think of a school where children wait in line for biscuits with their eyes full of fear rather than joy… Think of a school where children and sleep on sacks or instead of sitting in class ready to learn. Think of a sports hall where babies […]
Syria Crisis Influx situation report – 26 Sept 2014
Highlights According to District Governor, the number of Syrians seeking refuge in Turkey since Friday 19th September 2014 has been amended to 153,000. As of 26th of September 2014, the only border crossing that was open was at Yumartalik however the gate east of Musitpinar remained manned by border guards, with personnel referring new arrivals […]
Significant new pledges announced but more resources still required for children affected by the Syria crisis
News note NEW YORK, 24 September 2014 – UNICEF welcomes $347 million in new funding commitments to the No Lost Generation Initiative announced at a meeting held at UNICEF House today. The new commitments by DfID, USAID, the European Union and other partners will help reduce a $585 million gap in funding for education and […]
In Egypt, preschool brings a sense of normalcy to Syrian refugee children
By Ruth Ansah Ayisi No Lost Generation is an initiative by the United Nations, international and non-governmental organizations, and governments, to alleviate the impact of the Syrian crisis on children’s learning and psychological well-being and address the potential long-term consequences for a generation of children and young people in Syria and neighbouring countries. Launched in […]
New supplies bring hope to Syrian schools
By Razan Rashidi DAMASCUS, Syria, 26 September 2014 – “I love my new school bag,” says Dania*, a fourth grade student at Abdurrahmaan Khazen elementary school in Damascus. As part of a UNICEF back-to-learning campaign, Dania and 1,500 other students in her school received their school materials for this year. As Dania leaves school, her […]
Video story: Ghada graduates in Za’atari Camp
ZA’ATARI, Jordan, 28 Sept 2014 – “How is everything with you? I wish you could come,” says Ghada. The 18-year-old is on a mobile phone chatting to her father. She is in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan and he is in Dera’a, Syria, just across the border. “I feel comfortable when I talk to him. I […]
A tale of two schools where Syrian volunteer teachers are determined to educate the next generation
By Ayberk Yurtsever Antakya, Turkey, 28 September 2014 – Down a side street, somewhere in the suburbs of southern Turkey’s Antakya, is a humble house with a narrow garden bordered by a small wall and iron wires. It looks like an ordinary house, but the stream of children carrying schoolbags rushing in and out and […]
No matter how, no matter where: Syrian children fight to continue their education
By Ayberk Yurtsever Kilis, Turkey, 24 September 2014 – The small town of Kilis on the Turkish-Syrian border is the first stop for thousands of Syrian refugees, and for many of them it’s as far as they get into Turkey. Since the start of the conflict, the town’s population has more than doubled to 210,000. Providing […]
No Lost Generation Initiative – One Year On
الخبر باللغة العربية Increased investment in education and protection helps safeguard the future of a generation of children affected by Syria crisis Millions more children at risk as the crisis deepens NEW YORK, 24 September 2014 – Over the last year, an additional 770,000 children affected by the Syria crisis benefitted from some form of education […]
Syria Crisis Influx situation report – 24 Sept 2014
Highlights Since Friday 19th of September 2014, approximately 160,000 Syrian/Kurdish asylum seekers crossed into Turkey through 8 different crossings along the border near Mursitpınar (Turkey) and Ayn Al Arap (Kobani – Syria). Since the initial crossings on Friday, the official border crossings have been reduced to two (Yumartalık and Kestence) to ensure the controlled passage […]
Playing a principal role at school for Syrian refugees in Iraq
By Brenda Haiplik Dohuk, Iraq, September 23, 2014 – Zuhair Mustafa Sadiq’s office bustles with energy. Eager mother’s line up at the school principal’s door, hoping for a meeting and a chance to enrol their child at the Kar School in the Domiz refugee camp, just outside Dohuk. Zuhair carefully explains that, at present, the roster […]
UNICEF responds as a new wave of Syrian refugees pour in to Turkey
Suruc, Turkey, September 23, 2014 – More than 150,000 refugees from Syria have crossed into Turkey over the past four days, many arriving on foot to escape the latest round of fighting near the border. More than 60% of those who have fled are children. UNICEF teams, along with other agencies, have been at the […]