After the fall of Syria’s Assad regime, many hoped the worst was over. But for thousands of families still displaced, peace has not meant return. Whole towns lie in ruin; homes, mosques, and hospitals flattened. The civil war may have ended, but the crisis continues.
Rafed has worked for ReliefAid in Syria since 2022, managing the Bounceback4Syria education programme. He has witnessed firsthand the destruction, the heartbreak and the moments of resilience that still shine through.
The war has ended but the suffering continues
The suffering in the camps is still immense. Families face daily challenges: securing clean water, finding food, accessing healthcare and education. Children rarely play outside of the programme’s activities. Their childhoods are being shaped by limitation.
Life in the camps is cruel. People wait hours for aid just to get a portion to cover their basic needs. And the children… they are the ones who suffer most.
But for Rafed, the resilience of the children keeps him going.
“When we arrive, the children run to meet us. They’re laughing, smiling, shouting hello. We divide them into groups and begin the activities and for a moment, the camp feels like a different place. A joyful place.”
“What gives me the most hope,” Rafed adds, “is knowing that one day, they’ll return to their villages, their schools, their homes. And when that happens, the joy will be greater than anything we’ve seen.”
“When the programme ends, the children are sad to see us go. They ask us to stay longer, or come back soon. In every camp, there is a never-ending memory.”
There are towns that are completely destroyed, even mosques and hospitals. The war might be over, but the crisis hasn’t ended. People in the camps are still suffering. They can’t return to their homes. There’s nothing left.
“This work isn’t easy,” Rafed says. “But it’s necessary. It’s humanitarian. And we must continue because people here still need us.”
With your support, we can continue working alongside communities in Syria to create better days for children affected by war. Through resilience-building programmes like BounceBack4Syria, children are finding joy, learning, and hope again. Despite ongoing challenges, their strength and determination show a powerful commitment to healing, rebuilding, and restoring what has been lost.
You could help children in Syria by donating. Just $60 provides a family with education supplies & educator led activities
