Rebuilding Syria

The Syrian conflict may be over. But the struggle for peace is not.

After 13 years of devastating conflict, Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria for the past 24 years, was overthrown in December 2024. Now, Syrian people are dealing with the devastating consequences of the conflict. Children and young people are some of the most impacted survivors.

That’s why we are partnering with Child Guardians to raise vital funds and awareness to rebuild Syria: to create a safe future for millions of Syrian children who have been traumatised by conflict.

Show Syrians you stand with them and support their vision for a peaceful future by making a donation today.

What is happening for children and young people in Syria now?

After over a decade of conflict in Syria, the Al-Assad regime was overthrown in December 2024. Now, millions of children and young people are facing a terrifying future.

For 13 years, children in Syria lived under a constant threat of violence. Over 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million children are still out of school, because they are traumatised, or forced to work to support their families  (UNICEF).

The systems that kept children safe have been destroyed by years of violence. Now, children without adult guardians are extremely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Reports of children disappearing and child trafficking have become increasingly common (UNHCR, 2023; World Vision, 2023).

90% of Syrians are still living in poverty today. This has pushed thousands of children into the worst forms of child labour, including begging, scavenging, and dangerous physical labour.

Children are often exposed to physical danger, exploitation, and chronic health issues, while being denied access to education, healthcare, and other fundamental rights (International Blue Crescent, 2025).

Support Syrian children to live in safety and freedom by donating to our work with Child Guardians today.

How is Child Guardians helping change the future for Syrian children?

Our partner, Child Guardians, prioritises the safety and wellbeing of Syrian children. Without their vital work, Syria risks driving the new generation into cycles of poverty, exploitation, and marginalisation. Child Guardians work on both immediate and long-term solutions:

1. They provide urgent support to the most vulnerable. This includes children out of school, working in dangerous conditions, living with disabilities or separated from caregivers. Child Guardians ensure children have access to  safe environments to live in, with the care and trauma support they need.
2. Laying the groundwork for a safer future. Child Guardians works on rebuilding for the “new” Syria of tomorrow. They do this by empowering local leaders to speak up on children’s rights and calling for reforms that ensure safety for all children, especially those most at risk of being left behind.

Together, these approaches ensure that children can get the help they urgently need, while at the same time working towards a just and inclusive future.

How can we help?

We are partnering with Child Guardians this year to raise vital awareness and funds to support them to rebuild Syria. This is a shared appeal, with all proceeds being equally shared to support Child Guardian’s work in Syria, as well as Peace Direct’s efforts to support local peacebuilding around the world.

While the challenges of rebuilding Syria are immense, so is the potential for transformation. Supporting local peacebuilding has never been more important. Our partners have the knowledge and expertise to ensure Syria can regain control over their futures and live in peace. 

In the words of Child Guardians:

‘Today, we stop documenting violations and begin writing the history of a free Syria…We are partners in this.’