Displaying 1 - 10 of 20
Abstract
Since 2011, the war in Syria has resulted in the displacement of 12.2 million people. Over 5.6 million have fled Syria to seek asylum in neighbouring countries, while 6.6 million have been internally displaced. Family separation, with significant psychological, social and economic implications, is a key concern for those who flee violence and cross international borders. This qualitative study sought to understand the causes of separation among Syrian families in Jordan and the obstacles to family reunification. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 85 Syrian…
The statistics show that children move in great numbers, and many do so alone. While some of the reasons which motivate them to undertake such journeys alone are similar to those of adults – e.g. wars, pursuing aspirations for better social and economic opportunities, ethnic violence, cultural differences, examples of others migrating – others are more specific to children, such as forced child marriages, lack of educational opportunities, forced conscription or being sent ahead to realize family reunification in another country. Similar to adult companions, they suffer and react to ‘…
Abstract
Unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) are the most vulnerable group of refugees suffering from higher levels of mental health problems. Yet, there is also a group of URM with little or no symptoms or disorders. A major predictor for positive mental health outcomes is the social support network in the post-flight period which has rarely been investigated for the group of URM. The present study analyzes differences between perceived social support from family, peers, and adult mentors in URM, with subgroup analyses of peer and mentor support in URM with and without family contact.…
Abstract
This paper explores how unaccompanied refugee children from Syria made their way to destination countries and how they become unaccompanied and the consequences of being unaccompanied. This paper is based on interviews with Syrian child refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and aid workers of international organizations who provide support with child refugees. The long-standing conflict has caused Syrian children to suffer immensely, both physically and psychologically. Data show that majority of the children became conflict orphan and left Syria. Some reported that they…
This documentary video tells the story of Sham, a single mother from Syria seeking safety in Europe. It follows Sham and her two children along their 8-day journey and details the obstacles and dangers that they face along the way, including threat of separation. Watch the trailer below and visit the website to learn more about the documentary, including how to host or attend a screening.
Listen to an interview with filmmaker Amanda Bailly…
Executive Summary
In December 2015, Altai Consulting was commissioned by Save the Children’s Middle East and Eurasia Regional Office to conduct a research study on the protection of children fleeing from the Syria conflict and traveling to Europe. The specific objectives of the study are:
1. To identify the drivers compelling Syrians to undertake secondary movements from neighbouring countries to Europe;
2. To trace the routes of travel that they follow on their journeys;
3. To identify the key protection issues that children face along the way;
4. To map the…
The 2017 Whole of Syria Child Protection Needs Overview: A Compilation of Child Protection Data Collected for the 2017 Syria Humanitarian Needs Overview provides analysis of child protection needs and risks at the government level to support child protection actors in programmed development, resource mobilasation and advocacy.
Data collection and assessments were conducted through Jordan, Syria, and Turkey hubs between April and July 2016. Respondents were asked their perceptions on the reasons children are unaccompanied and separated from their usual caregivers. The reasons…
This report from UNICEF highlights the many dangers, risks, and challenges faced by unaccompanied refugee and migrant children travelling to Europe on their own to escape conflict, poverty, or other forms of oppression. The report lists key principles in protecting unaccompanied refugee and migrant children, outlines facts at a glance, and offers a brief description of the current crises in a number of countries, including Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia. The report also shares the stories and voices of refugee children themselves.
Through the voices of children, parents and staff working in the region, this report by Save the Children presents a glimpse into the struggles faced by refugee and displaced children and families from Syria. The report is primarily based on children’s stories as told to Save the Children in urban areas in Lebanon and in camps and urban areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Drawings and other playful sessions were used with the children to help them tell stories of their everyday lives without the negative impact a deep interview might have.
The report highlights…
Executive Summary
Building upon a Save the Children regional participatory research initiative on kinship care that was undertaken in West Central Africa and East Africa, Save the Children in Jordan adapted the research methodology to focus on kinship care of children in a humanitarian context. The overall objective of the research was to increase understanding of kinship care practices as experienced by Syrian refugee children and caregivers in Jordan, which can be used to inform programming and policy developments on children’s care and protection in a humanitarian context. The…