What's happening in Syria right now?
Since the 14-year conflict in Syria ended on December 8, 2025, more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned to their places of origin. But Syria remains in crisis.
Recent escalating military activity in northeastern Syria has uprooted an estimated 10,000 people from their homes in freezing winter conditions. Despite a fragile ceasefire agreed on Sunday evening, humanitarian needs remain desperately high.
Today, 16.7 million people—nearly three-quarters of Syria's population—including 7.5 million children, need humanitarian assistance.
A child who attends Save the Children Education programmes in a displacement camp in Northeast Syria walks in the rain with an umbrella that they were given.
The situation for children in Syria
Many families returning home are finding their neighbourhoods in ruins. 38% of hospitals and a quarter of all schools have been fully or partially destroyed. Unexploded remnants of war continue to endanger lives.
Syria faces a severe economic crisis. Jobs are scarce and 90% of the population lives below the poverty line. For children, this means:
Limited access to education: 2.4 million children remain out of school. Some schools that are open operate double shifts with up to 70 students per class.
Healthcare shortages: Many pregnant women don't know where they'll give birth. Before the conflict ended, one hospital near Idlib reported 33 miscarriages linked to trauma from airstrikes every month—this has since fallen to fewer than 15.
Psychological trauma: Years of displacement and violence have left deep scars. Children who lived through airstrikes still hide when they hear aircraft overhead.
Family separation: During recent displacement in Al-Hasakeh, 19% of families reported becoming separated, leaving children unaccompanied and at risk of abuse and exploitation.
How the closure of Al-Hol camp is affecting children
What is Al-Hol?
Al-Hol camp is in northeastern Syria, where thousands of children have grown up behind barbed wire facing an uncertain future as the camp is expected to close.
At its peak, Al-Hol was home to about 73,000 people - mainly women and children displaced by conflict whose movements were restricted. Many have since been reintegrated or repatriated, but thousands of children have grown up knowing nothing but the camps.
What's happening now?
Just under 70% of residents have left in recent weeks after an increase in violence in the region. Children are among those who have left, with limited independent information available on their safety, whereabouts, and wellbeing.
In addition to the upheaval of leaving the camp, these children are at increased risk of being exploited or separated from their families.Remaining residents may be transferred to another camp.
"Life inside Al-Hol camp has been defined by deprivation, violence and fear. But for many children, it's the only world they have ever known," said Rasha Muhrez, Save the Children's Syria Country Director.
"Many were born behind barbed wire or arrived as infants, growing up amid chronic food shortages, violence, insecurity and the absence of consistent, quality education. None chose to grow up here, yet it has been the only home they have ever known. Losing that now exposes them to new and serious risks."
What happens next?
The emptying of Al-Hol marks the end of a physical site, but not the end of responsibility. Children who've left the camp must be properly reintegrated into society with access to child protection services - whether within Syria or, if repatriated, in their countries of origin.
Children must have access to child-friendly psychological and psychosocial support, education and livelihood opportunities for older children, and essential documentation such as birth certificates and identification.
"The best interests of the child must remain at the centre of every decision taken by authorities and the international community," Rasha said. "Because childhood cannot be paused and resumed later."
Nour's story: Coming home after 14 years
Nour*, 42, returned to Syria two months ago after 14 years in Lebanon. She and her husband brought their children—Hassan*, 8, and Zahra*, 6—back to their family home in a town in rural Damascus that was heavily bombed during the conflict.
"I was so shocked to see the destruction when we got back. It is like starting all over again," she said at a Save the Children-supported child centre. "But we are with our family again, we are home. I just hope it gets better with time. We really need help to rebuild Syria. I want my children to have a good education and a brighter future."
Nour*, 42, and her children Zahra*, 6, and Hassan*, 8, in rural Damascus, Syria
What we're doing to help children in Syria
Save the Children has worked in Syria since 2012, supporting displaced families directly and through local partners.
In response to the latest escalation in Al-Hasakeh, we're working with partners to provide:
Blankets and mattresses
Dignity kits and hygiene supplies
Food, cash, warm clothes, and heating fuel
Child protection services and psychosocial support
Safe spaces for children to play and recover
We're also helping rebuild Syria's destroyed infrastructure. Together with local partner Action for Humanity, we're rehabilitating Al Dabbass School—a secondary school for girls aged 11-18 that's been unused since November 2012. When it reopens early next year, it will serve about 1,000 students.
Rasha Muhrez, Save the Children's Syria Country Director, said: "During 14 years of conflict, more than half the population—over 13 million people—were displaced. Many want to return home, but they are coming back to devastation and a lack of basic services. We must ensure people can return safely and that children have access to education, healthcare, and protection. Children must be at the heart of Syria's reconstruction."
HOW WE HELPED SARA*
"In the future, I want to help my family and rebuild our home."
Sara, 14, was at home with her family when her street was bombed.
She emerged from the rubble of her home, temporarily blinded by chemical dust from the blast.
Her brother guided her to safety, and she now lives in a displacement camp. Sara attends our Child Friendly Space, where she feels less afraid and alone.
She likes playing goalkeeper in football matches, and says the girls' team normally beats the boys' team because she saves all the goals.
* Name changed
Names marked with * have been changed to protect identities.
Page last updated in January 2026.
