As hostilities continue to escalate in northwest Syria, eight aid agencies are today making an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire as they warn that hundreds of thousands of people—the majority of them women and children—are fleeing the unrelenting violence are caught in a humanitarian catastrophe.

At least 150,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the past two weeks, bringing the total number who have been displaced since December 1 to more than half a million.

David Miliband, CEO, International Rescue Committee

“In the past two months, close to 300 civilians have been killed as a result of the intensifying hostilities in northwest Syria. If this violence continues, up to 800,000 people currently in the firing line will be left with few options for safety.

“In addition to civilians themselves, civilian infrastructure continues to come under attack – a hallmark of the Age of Impunity. In the past two weeks, two hospitals have been hit by airstrikes, with reports that several patients and medical staff were injured. One of the ambulances we support was damaged and put out of action for over a week, and we have had to relocate an entire fleet of IRC-supported ambulances as a result of the intensity of the fighting. The IRC is urgently calling for an end to the violence and for those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law to be held accountable. One such opportunity is through the UN Board of Inquiry into attacks on civilian infrastructure in northwest Syria, whose findings should be made public, and those responsible identified and held to account." 

Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE USA

“In 2019 alone, there were 85 attacks on healthcare facilities in Northern Syria. The first month of 2020 has seen this appalling trend continue. Escalation of fighting and attacks on healthcare have forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to flee for their lives with their families, in order to find safety.

“After multiple attacks on hospitals in Idlib, our maternity and pediatric hospital became the only functioning medical facility for miles around. It has been overwhelmed with women and children seeking urgent medical assistance. Sadly, we had to suspend the provision of emergency medical care and evacuate patients and staff from the facility, after a nearby hospital was hit by several airstrikes a few days ago. There is an urgent need for critical health support for pregnant women, mothers and newborn babies in northwest Syria. The effects of this conflict have been devastating on the civilian population. Women and children, in particular, are at risk and need immediate protection and lifesaving services.”

Inger Ashing, CEO, Save the Children

“Children in northwest Syria are terrified. They see bombs and shells falling on a daily basis. Their lives have already been torn apart by years of conflict having witnessed their homes, schools and hospitals destroyed and their loved ones killed before their eyes. Now, all they are trying to do is escape the violence as their lives are being thrown into turmoil once again. Parties to the conflict need to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law and spare the children and the civilians the brunt of the conflict.”

Jan Egeland, Secretary General, NRC

"Tens of thousands of Syrian families are sheltering along the Turkish border as a result of the military offensive by the government of Syria and its allies. Camps are hosting five times their intended occupancy and rental prices have skyrocketed in towns in the north west. Turkey has generously hosted millions of refugees from Syria over the years, this is clear. But the fighting is squeezing people further and further north and at the moment they have nowhere else to go. We are calling on Turkey to let these terrified families seek safety either across the border or in areas Turkey controls in Syria. Turkey cannot be expected to take on the responsibility of accepting more refugees alone. NRC calls on the international community to urgently step up and provide significant additional support."

Andrew Morley, President and CEO, World Vision International

“The conditions people are being forced to endure in Idlib are dire. Since April last year, close to 900,000 people have been newly displaced. The exodus of people is staggering, and tens of thousands more are joining them every day. Children are sleeping in flooded fields with no running water or proper protection from the elements. We’ve provided blankets, heaters and cash, but people have no money to buy fuel and have told us that they are now burning clothes and trash to keep warm. It is bitterly cold in Syria at the moment, and families are resorting to ever more desperate measures to protect their children and ensure that they survive the winter.”

Kieren Barnes, Country Director, Syria, Mercy Corps

"We know the decision to flee is often a last-minute one, and it's forcing families into the winter, with little or no support, and our teams are barely able to keep up with waves of people who are escaping the violence."

Bahia Zrikem, Humanity & Inclusion

“In the past, people were able to rent accommodation from local people who opened their homes to them, but this is becoming more and more difficult as there are simply more people than homes available and conditions are becoming increasingly desperate. Many of those who have fled are sleeping in their cars or camping by the side of the road because there is simply nowhere else for them to go. They urgently need assistance. They need food, shelter, fuel to keep warm and many are in need of health care, especially elderly and persons with disabilities. With thousands more vulnerable people set to arrive in the coming days the needs will only continue to grow and it will become ever more difficult to meet them.”

To prevent this catastrophic situation from deteriorating further, the International Rescue Committee, CARE, Save the Children, NRC, World Vision International, Mercy Corps, Humanity & Inclusion and People in Need are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in addition to immediate access to safety for the millions of civilians currently under fire.

The international community must condemn this ongoing violence and commit to holding those responsible for violating International Humanitarian Law to account. After nine long years of suffering for Syrian civilians, a peaceful solution to this conflict is now more urgent than it ever has been.             

End of statement

To arrange interviews please contact:              

International Rescue Committee
Kirsty Cameron
E: kirsty.cameron@rescue.org
M: +962 775 402 255
WhatsApp: +44 7922 041 198

CARE International
Fatima Azzeh
E: fatima.azzeh@care.org
M: +962 79 711 7414
Skype: fatima.azzeh

World Vision
Elias Abu Ata
E: elias_abuata@wvi.org
M: +962 775 446 556  
Skype: elias.abuata

Save the Children
Joelle Bassoul
E: Joelle.bassoul@savethechildren.org
M: +961 8160 006 96

NRC
Karl Schembri
E: karl.schembri@nrc.no
M: +962 790 220 159

Mercy Corps
Wilf Dinnick
E: wdinnick@mercycorps.org
M: + 962 7 7548 8223
Skype: WilfDinnick

Humanity & Inclusion
Bahia Zrikem
M: +962780613603
E: hpc@sr.hi.org

People in Need
Tomas Kocian
E: tomas.kocian@peopleinneed.cz
M: +420 777 787 970

Notes to Editors:

The IRC has been delivering aid in Syria since 2012, and last year the IRC and partners delivered services to over a million people in the country. In northwest Syria, the IRC and partners are providing healthcare, cash, and other vital services to thousands of people displaced by the recent escalation in violence.

Experiences of those who have recently fled their homes:

Ahmad*: "Thank God my children and I are able to take shelter in a cellar and under a roof. Many people who fled their homes could not find a home and do not have a tent to install themselves somewhere. Many displaced families are sharing their acquaintances and relatives are sharing their homes in northern Idleb and Aleppo countryside. Also, I saw many families spending the night in their own cars to continue their journey in the morning and keep looking for somewhere safe to protect their families. I also heard of many cases where people have spent the night in the wild. The situation in Idlib and the countryside is beyond imagination and things are getting worse every day. The sounds of shelling and airstrikes are really horrifying even when they hit in a remote area. I do not know what is going to happen next but I can say things are getting worse and it does not seem things will be better soon. The worst thing one can imagine is to leave home."

Hadil* who fled Maarat an Numan: “There was relentless bombing, and soldiers were closing in on the village, so we were forced to leave the house. We had to walk a long distance before we arrived here safely. The situation was very bad when we fled. There were continuous bombing and warplanes flying over us. The roads were being targeted, shells fell where we were walking. We stopped during the day and resumed by night. We took only what was necessary. We left all our belongings behind. I only wanted my children to be safe. We’ve been here for 20 days and we live with my cousin. He has an unfinished building that my four children and I share with my in-laws. That’s 12 other families. I can’t begin to describe how difficult it is to live with that many people. There is a lot of tension all the time.”

Farrah*: “Things are very expensive. Tea, sugar, rice, everything is very expensive… even bread … we cannot afford to eat, we struggle to find money to buy food everyday. Being displaced has ruined us. I don’t want to buy meat or tomatoes, I only want to prevent my children from starving…We no longer even dream of buying tomatoes and meat… Yesterday our neighbors thankfully gave us a pound of rice.. we cook whatever people can give us… I have not bought vegetables for quite some time, I only buy cheap things, like parsley, that’s it…but a chicken for example today costs 3000 SYP. It’s impossible for us to buy one…we need to be frugal to survive.”

*Name has been changed to protect identity

Dozens of civilians were killed in bombings in Idlib province in the north-west of war-torn Syria, according to Ms. Najat Rochdi, Senior Humanitarian Adviser to the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, and other monitoring groups. Bombardments and shelling have intensified in the region in recent days putting an unbearable threat to civilians and forcing the population to flee.
Humanity & Inclusion has issued the following statement:

“We demand an immediate end to the bombing and shelling of areas populated by civilians, which has increased at a terrifying rate in recent days,” says Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy and Institutional Relations. “These attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructures, including health centers, are totally unacceptable and against international humanitarian law. Parties to the conflict must also ensure access to humanitarian assistance for affected populations.”

The Syria INGO Regional Forum, comprising 73 INGOs responding to the Syria crisis, expressed deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation since Turkey’s military operation started on October 9. The UN estimates that more than 200,000 people have been displaced, and is planning to support up to 400,000 people with assistance and protection in the coming period.

Over three days, Hasakeh city saw an estimated 60,000 new arrivals as a result of the violence, while hostilities in the area also damaged the main water station, leaving it out of service. 400,000 people, including 82,000 people in Al Hol and Areesha camps, now rely on the provisional solution of pumping water from a nearby dam that can only meet 50% of the needs previously supplied by the main water station. This water, which is of poorer quality, is only sufficient to support Hassakeh city for approximately 10-15 days. This leaves the population exposed to outbreaks of infectious diseases, especially as acute diarrhea and typhoid were already two of the most reported illnesses in northeast Syria in August 2019.

To date, the most intense attacks have been on Tal Abyad, Ras al Ain and Quamishly. The use of air strikes and artillery in those areas, and in particular, the October 13 attack on a convoy of civilians fleeing Tal Abyad, raise serious concerns that civilians have been targeted, which may amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law. Overall, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has led to mass forced displacement and disproportionate damage to vital civilian infrastructure. With the recently renovated hospital in Ras al Ain again out of service and three health care providers in Tal Abyad rendered non-functional, people in the most affected areas have no access to lifesaving support.

SIRF is concerned that several major humanitarian facilities fall within the 30 kilometer border area in which Turkey has established a growing military presence, such as Mabrouka camp (which had 3,170 residents) and Ain Issa camp (12,901 residents). Mabrouka camp has largely been evacuated and is no longer accessible. The majority of its residents relocated to Areesha camp, but several families were unable to leave and now have no access to food, water or shelter.  

While the need for humanitarian aid has dramatically increased, the operation has forced many INGOs to suspend service delivery. In the last few days, SIRF members lost access to their offices in Ain Issa, 50 kilometers from the Turkey-Syria border, after the town came under the control of Turkish-backed armed groups. The local organizations that are continuing to deliver assistance face increasingly difficult circumstances and risks to their safety. 

Many Syrian humanitarian workers, including the staff of local organizations, fear for their lives and the lives of their families, as they are unable to seek safety in government-controlled areas inside Syria or in neighboring countries. Humanitarian organizations report widespread displacement of Syrian staff, as well as concerns about increased restrictions on their freedom of movement due to risk of conscription.  

With humanitarian access already compromised, any further sudden shifts of control or shifts in the presence of troops could further destabilize the area and the routes that humanitarian organizations currently rely on to reach people in need. In light of the recently announced political agreement between Kurdish authorities and the government of Syria, we call on relevant authorities to make continued access for humanitarian organizations a priority.  

The people of northeast Syria have already endured years of conflict, with many being repeatedly displaced, and have suffered unimaginable physical and psychological distress. SIRF is very concerned that many of these civilians are now forced to flee south and may have to seek refuge in areas that are heavily contaminated with explosive ordnance. Areas that were retaken from Islamic State, like Raqqa, are littered with improvised explosive devices and landmines.

The Syria INGO Regional Forum is also concerned that one of the objectives of the military operation is to facilitate the return of large numbers of refugees. SIRF notes that most of the refugees in Turkey do not originate from areas Turkey is seeking to control, and reminds Turkey of its obligation to the respect the principle of non-refoulement.

SIRF believes that urgent action is needed and calls for:

• all parties to the conflict to fulfill their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law and refrain from targeting civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as to exercise restraint in order to protect water supplies, health facilities, schools and camps for displaced people;
• all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and start urgent dialogue, supported by the international community
• all parties to the conflict to stop the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas in compliance with international humanitarian law;
• all parties to the conflict and the international community to ensure that freedom of movement and humanitarian access are guaranteed;
• all parties to investigate possible violations of international humanitarian law, especially unlawful attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to ensure those responsible are held to account;
• the UN Security Council to renew Resolution 2165 to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid in northeast Syria;
• donor governments to be ready to provide the required level of flexible, emergency funding and assist humanitarian actors to respond effectively.

Humanity & Inclusion is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians and humanitarian aid workers. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis nine years ago, Humanity & Inclusion's teams have been working tirelessly with Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Our rehabilitation experts provide vital care—physical therapy, psychosocial support, mobility devices, etc.—to injured Syrian civilians and those with disabilities. 

When war comes to cities, civilians need your help. Today, more than ever, your support is essential. Make a gift today.

October 10, 2019—After nearly a decade of nation-wide conflict, the Turkish incursion into northeast Syria reignites the cycle of violence, worry and uncertainty for people living in the area. Humanity & Inclusion is deeply concerned about how the military escalation will affect the civilian population. Humanity & Inclusion calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, especially people in populated areas that are being attacked with airstrikes and artillery.

According to UN OCHA, at least 1,650,000 people in the northeast are in need of humanitarian assistance. With humanitarian organizations on the ground already reporting the interruption of vital services, including medical facilities and water supplies, people’s access to humanitarian assistance is expected to deteriorate while the number of people in need is expected to increase if the violence continues.

A 3-mile strip along the border between Turkey and Syria is currently seeing the most incessant attacks. It is home to an estimated 450,000 civilians, of which 90,000 people are internally displaced. The United Nations reports that more than 64,000 people in the border region fled their homes looking for safety within the first 12 hours of the offensive, and humanitarian organizations on the ground underscore the increased need for humanitarian assistance both in and outside of the 3-mile zone.

Moreover, some populated areas, Tal Abiyad, Ras el Ain, Quamishly and others, were targeted with explosive weapons, predominantly in the form of airstrikes and artillery. The majority of explosive-weapon related casualties in populated areas are civilians, and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas leads to forced displacement and disproportionately damages vital infrastructure, which has devastating effects on people’s ability to safely access humanitarian services, livelihood opportunities and, for example, education long after the end of hostilities.

The ongoing offensive could significantly weaken the network of already scarcely available primary services, and makes it even more difficult for people in need to reach humanitarian services. As stated by a humanitarian worker in the field: "I work in the humanitarian sector to provide aid to those in need. When the conflict started yesterday evening, I could not reach the office due to severe clashes and shelling. Being blocked from working put me far from my ambition to respond to the needs of the people living in my area, and to provide real support to my family, friends and colleagues."

Humanity & Inclusion believes that urgent action is needed to ensure that the humanitarian situation in northeast Syria does not deteriorate further:

• the UN Security Council and international community should insist on an immediate ceasefire, knowing that the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including civilians' access to humanitarian assistance, is severely obstructed by any type of violence;
• all parties to the conflict and the international community should ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, and ensure that freedom of movement and humanitarian access are guaranteed to all civilians in northeast Syria;
• all parties to the conflict should stop the use of explosive weapons with wide areas effects in populated areas, and the targeting of any civilian infrastructure like hospitals, schools and markets.

Humanity & Inclusion's Humanitarian Policy Coordinator for Syria is available for comment

About Humanity & Inclusion

Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Humanity & Inclusion is an independent international aid organization. It has been working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster for 37 years. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and basic rights. Since it was founded in 1982, Humanity & Inclusion has set up development programs in more than 60 countries and intervenes in numerous emergency situations. There are eight national associations within the network (Germany, Belgium, Canada, United States, France, Luxembourg, UK and Switzerland), working tirelessly to mobilize resources, co-manage projects and increase the impact of the organization’s principles and actions. Humanity & Inclusion is one of six founding organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, and winner of the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Humanity & Inclusion takes action and campaigns in places where “living with dignity” is no easy task.

Related information

Stop Bombing Civilians: 6 months to win (overview of campaign, key documents and next steps)

New report (September 2019) shines light on urgent needs of victims in Syria

•  a link to full “The waiting list” report, which was shared with delegates to the Vienna Conference (pdf)
•  a link to the summary version “The waiting list” report (pdf)
•  a link to an overview document of the types of injuries caused by explosive weapons (pdf)

Relevant Humanity & Inclusion reports about the civilian harm and displacement caused by explosive weapons used in populated areas can be found here.

Civilians at risk as violence escalates and humanitarian work is suspended

Civilians in northeast Syria are at risk and humanitarian aid could be cut off following the launch of a new military operation in the area, leading aid agencies are warning.

Reports from humanitarian responders on the ground say civilians are already on the move and that some vital services have been interrupted, including medical facilities and water supplies. Agencies say that some of their staff have fled with their families, while others are on lockdown.

An estimated 450,000 people live within 5km of the Syria-Turkey border and are at risk if all sides do not exercise maximum restraint and prioritize the protection of civilians. The population includes more than 90,000 internally displaced people, who have already been forced to flee their homes at least once in Syria’s unrelenting war.

According to UN OCHA, there are at least 1,650,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in northeast Syria. The life-saving humanitarian response will be threatened if instability forces aid agencies to suspend or relocate their programming and staff, as is already happening. With an ongoing major crisis in Idlib and huge needs across the country, the aid response in Syria is already stretched to breaking point.

The 15 aid agencies are urging parties to the conflict to fully respect International Humanitarian Law and ensure that they refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas. They must ensure all measures are taken to protect civilians and facilitate safe, unhindered humanitarian access. People living in the area affected by this military action have the right to freedom of movement and must not be forcibly displaced from their homes.

Likewise, there must be no forcible returns of refugees living in Turkey to Syria. Anyone returned could face threats to their safety and security, continued internal displacement and reliance on humanitarian assistance that the international community is not in a position to provide. According to the Government of Turkey, an estimated 83 per cent of the three million Syrians in Turkey do not originate from the northeast.

The international community has an important role to play in helping to resolve this crisis. The UN Security Council, which is expected to discuss the situation today (October 10, 2019), must emphasize the need for restraint and reiterate importance of protecting civilians and facilitating unimpeded humanitarian operations.

The security situation in the area is already fragile, with tens of thousands of fighters and their families being held in camps and detention centers. All children must be protected and provided humanitarian assistance, and countries of origin should take immediate steps to repatriate the estimated 9,000 children from at least 40 different nationalities who are in northeast Syria.

Urgent action is needed to ensure that the humanitarian situation in northeast Syria does not worsen further, with potentially dire consequences for families and children who find themselves once again caught up in deadly violence.

Signed:

Action Against Hunger

Christian Aid

CARE International

DanChurchAid

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe

Humanity & Inclusion

International Rescue Committee

Medecins du Monde

Mercy Corps

Norwegian Refugee Council

Oxfam

People in Need

Terre Des Hommes Italy

Un Ponte Per

World Vision

For more information please contact: Karl Schembri karl.schembri@nrc.no / +962 7902 20159 or Caroline Anning caroline_anning@wvi.org / +962 778482439

Millions of families have been forced to abandon their homes after years of conflict and violence. In places like Yemen, Iraq, and Syria, people struggle to stay alive in their communities, until they have no other choice but to flee.

This month marks two anniversaries that no one is celebrating: Four years of conflict in Yemen and eight in Syria.

The numbers

• An estimated 190,350 Yemenis have fled to neighboring countries
• More than 280,000 people are seeking refuge in Yemen
• An estimated 400,000 Syrians have been killed, according to the United Nations
• As of December 2016, 4.81 million Syrians have fled the country
• 6.3 million Syrians are displaced internally
• More than 10 million Syrians are exposed to the risk posed by explosive remnants of war
• 2.1 million Iraqis displaced inside the country
• More than 360,000 Iraqis displaced, living in unfinished and abandoned buildings

Humanity & Inclusion provides emergency care to people with disabilities and injuries living in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. Every day, our teams meet beneficiaries who share horrifying stories of bombs, torture, terror, and escape. But we take stock of their strength. Their survival. And together we set new goals. We celebrate new victories, however small.

Abdelkrim, 60, from Homs, Syria

"One day, while I was in front of the house, I saw planes in the sky. I thought I saw an unmanned aircraft in the middle of reconnaissance. Then it launched a missile that exploded in the street. Shrapnel came into my left leg." Abdelkrim bandaged his leg and when he finally made it to a doctor, he was told it had to be amputated due to infection. Today, Abdelkrim is recovering thanks to the rehabilitation care he receives from Humanity & Inclusion's team in Jordan. "I wish the war would end and that everyone could return in peace and security."

Warda's family, from Iraq

In February 2017, Warda and her family were caught in an explosion as they were fleeing Mosul, Iraq. After having both of her legs amputated, the young woman recovered in a hospital on the outskirts of the city, with her husband and daughter, who were also injured. Humanity & Inclusion's rehabilitation team provided Warda and her family with psychological support and physical therapy.

Yesser, 12, from Yemen

Yasser was doing homework next to his father when they were both struck by an explosion. Yasser lost his leg and his father did not survive. Today, Yasser receives rehabilitation care from Humanity & Inclusion's team in Yemen.

Wafa, 42, from Homs, Syria

"The planes attacked the city and sent bombs without any mercy to the families and innocent children who still lived there." In July 2012, three bombs fell on Wafa's house. During the attack, Wafa broke her left leg. "When I came out of the coma, my burns and my leg were terribly painful. But this pain was nothing compared to what I felt when I learned that four of my children had died. I could not protect them." Today, Wafa receives rehabilitation care from Humanity & Inclusion's team in Jordan.

Ali, 1, from Iraq

In April 2017, Ali and his family were used as human shields in Mosul, Iraq. Caught in a bombing, Ali was severely injured and his parents and brother were killed. The young boy receives rehabilitation care from Humanity & Inclusion's team in Iraq. Our team also provides his aunt and uncle, who are taking care of him, with advice on how to help Ali with physical therapy exercises. 

Kamal, 15, from Dera'a, Syria

"I woke up with shards of glass all over my body and the bedroom door had collapsed on me. The air was dusty. My brother was trying to take me to my mother's room, but I could not hold onto both of my legs." The family manages, with difficulty, to bring Kamal to the nearest hospital: "My whole body was covered with blood. I was operated on briefly at first, then I had two operations to both my hand and my legs. I've never used weapons, and yet it was me that was bombed. I feel only sadness. When you do not feel safe in your own country, where can you be?" Today, Kamal receives rehabilitation support from Humanity & Inclusion in Jordan.

Ali, 20, from Syria

In 2013, Ali lost the use of his legs after being seriously injured in a bombing in Syria. The young Syrian refugee now lives with his family in a makeshift camp in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. Humanity & Inclusion's rehabilitation team has been helping him adapt to his disability through physical therapy. 

Having spent years living in war zones and then as refugees in foreign countries, many Syrians with disabilities have gone without physical therapy, psychological support, and other vital medical care for long periods of time. Without proper care, disabilities and impairments become more severe and difficult to treat. That’s why Humanity & Inclusion continues to seek out Syrian refugees in countries like Lebanon and connect them with rehabilitation services.

The organization helps people like Bayan, 13, and her two brothers, who all have cerebral palsy. Her family fled the war in Syria two years ago and now live in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. Humanity & Inclusion covers the cost of the children's rehabilitation sessions. The family could not afford this sort of care before.

"Physical therapy is the most important thing for my children,” says Aisha, Bayan’s mother. “Without it, their condition will get worse and worse. This is the first time Bayan’s ever had this type of treatment. Unfortunately, because she didn’t receive treatment earlier, she’ll never walk again. But it might not be too late for her brothers.”

The whole team at the rehabilitation center is involved in caring for the three children and each is showing gradual signs of improvement. Bayan's mother and her children also receive mental health counseling. Aisha participates in self-help group to give mothers the chance to talk through the challenges they face every day.

Your tax-deductible gift will help Syrians with injuries or disabilities as well as those displaced by the violent conflict. Since the beginning of the crisis, Humanity & Inclusion professionals are assisting Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. We are providing urgently needed emergency rehabilitation care, distributing walking aids, and supporting hospitals in the care of wounded civilians.

Please, join us in supporting the innocent victims of this devastating civil war. By making a gift now, you are giving them new hope for a better future.

Humanity & Inclusion is co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for our work to ban landmines, the 1996 Nansen Prize for our work with refugees, and the 2011 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest humanitarian prize, for our work in Haiti after the earthquake.

*Any funds raised beyond the needs of our emergency response will be used to support other vital programs in the region and around the world.

For Syrian refugees with disabilities in Lebanon, receiving mental health care in addition physical rehabilitation is vital to recovery. Since June 2017, Humanity & Inclusion has partnered with the Mousawat Rehabilitation Center in the Beqaa Valley to provide children with disabilities and their families with mental health care.

Children at the center have access to comprehensive rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychosocial support. Every week, the mental health and rehabilitation staff meet to discuss their patients’ cases and how they can provide a holistic treatment plan.

The center also offers parents psychological support, including a parental support group. At the start of the project, parents were reluctant to speak with psychologists, for fear of being stigmatized by their community. Today, it has become common for them to request these services.

Currently, about 300 children and their families are treated free of charge thanks to Humanity & Inclusion. The organization focuses mainly on early intervention and follow-up care with the parents. Many families are beginning to return to Syria, so it is important, for example, that parents learn the rehabilitation exercises needed for their child’s treatment so they can continue them in Syria.