War in Syria has taken an unacceptable and unbearable toll on children exposing them to grave human rights violations, poor conditions for survival, destruction of schools, unsanitary conditions and risking them of losing a generation (UNICEF).
This chart that I came across UNICEF website appalled me (http://storify.com/UNICEF/syrian-crisis/elements/b660f6994cda7f5d2deaee3e)
Indeed the biggest losers are children. Because of adults’ conflicts, it is children who lose homes, families and siblings, suffer injury and permanent disability, get uprooted and transplanted into circumstances beyond their control. They get denied of love, compassion, education, health and dignity and also lose their innocence when they are forced to look after their younger siblings and elderly grandparents becoming breadwinners overnight. All around them, their dreams and opportunities for the future are being lost. As a result of the trauma, they suffer profound long-lasting psychological effects. Children replicate killing scenes while playing, cover their faces and seek shelter when they hear planes flying overhead.
A child’s identity is constructed within his or her culture, ethnicity, language, family structure and home relationships. War and other forms of trauma affect the lives of children, challenging their well being and development and create psychological dynamics that can affect their individual sense of self and undermine their healthiest and fullest development as human beings. UNICEF and its partners are trying to combat the deteriorating state of children by providing them with safe drinking water, vaccination campaigns and organizing learning programs that will provide psychological services.
Children need a helping hand that would promote their strong sense of identity, feel pride in who they are, and have courage to stand up for what’s not fair. With appropriate adult guidance we can help lay a strong foundation that would provide the base for the next stages of healthy development and the skills they would need to thrive and succeed in our complex and diverse world.
References
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/files/Syria_2yr_Report.pdf
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/jordan_65808.html
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syriancrisis_68134.html
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/in-syria-the-biggest-losers-are-children-1.1199838
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syriancrisis_69285.html
Deepa,
ReplyDeleteYes, the map showing levels of poverty in Syria is striking. It does seem that children are almost born into adulthood with no time to be carefree, instead taking on adult-size responsibilities and concerns. As we have been learning, a child must have secure attachment and a sense of security before he is willing to try new things and expand his knowledge. It seems children in Syria are not being given that sound base of security. Thankfully, agencies like UNICEF are stepping in to help. Thanks for the informative post!
Deepa,
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to see the access to water and sanitation map of Syria. The larger part of the country has severely limited access. It is hard for me to wrap my head around. It is saddening to me that young children inundated with violence and war. Thank you for sharing.
Crystal
We have a war here in the U.S. Drugs, child abandonment, hunger, you name it. Our children are faced with unsanitary condition living in abandon houses with no working plumbing, unsanitary conditions on the streets and in shelters. I care about all the children in the world with a passion that makes me cry. The most hurtful part is that I can't fix it all at once. I strive to better the world for children and for families. You have a great story now let us have some great endings.
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