Syria Crisis 10 years: Refugee youths and children forced to give up their dreams

Khalil, 18, came to Jordan with his family from rural Aleppo in 2013 and settled in the capital Amman. At first, the bright and talkative youngster was able to continue his education at a local school. But aged just 13, he had to drop out and start working to help support his large family.

“There are some kids who had to give up their dreams.”

“I used to want to be a doctor back in Syria, but becoming a refugee changed that,” Khalil said. “There are some kids who had to give up their dreams.”

He now works six days a week as a mechanic, earning 7 Jordanian Dinars (US$10) a day regardless of the hours, which are often long. “It’s exhausting,” Khalil said.

Like millions of other Syrian refugees still scattered across the region, despite escaping the country’s conflict Khalil has seen his prospects evaporate. As the crisis grinds on after 10 years, he now contemplates the future with a sense of resignation.

“Life goes on, anyway,” he said. “That is my fate; I have to accept it and live with it.”

Since the start of the crisis, UNHCR teams have been working on the ground to support these families for 10 years. We have been providing safe shelter to families forced to flee and distributing core relief items, such as tents, blankets and kitchen sets. Meanwhile, we help displaced Syrians access health services and support the education of Syrian children.

And yet – 10 years on, the desperate situation of displaced Syrians is like a new emergency. UNHCR’s funding requirements for the Syria Emergency Situation in 2021 amount to US$1.996 billion and are only 11% funded as of 23 February 2021.

We need your support to address the increasing humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees.

Reporting by Nida Yassin in Amman.

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