After year of quake in Syria children still homeless, need aid – NGO
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – One in three children who lost their homes in the earthquakes that struck Syria and Turkey a year ago are still living in temporary shelters, while children in both countries have struggled with mental health issues since the disaster, Save the Children said on Monday.
In Syria, children who survived the earthquake have faced an economic crisis and an escalation in conflict, further damaging schools and health centers, according to Save the Children.
In February 2023. two massive earthquakes and aftershocks hit Syria and Turkey, killing over 56,000 people and displacing millions with about 6.2 million children impacted.
Thousands of children are now without access to shelter and food, and much of the assistance from the World Food Program (WFP) in earthquake-affected areas has been suspended, the report added.
“In the aftermath of the earthquakes, 85% of children with disabilities reported difficulties interacting with their families, friends, teachers and others because of their experiences during the earthquakes, the report read.
Almost 70% of respondents in five Syrian government-held areas reported ‘sadness’ among children, with about 30% noting cases of children having nightmares and/or difficulty sleeping.
Approximately 1.5 million more people in Syria need humanitarian assistance this year- 45% of whom are children. This means a total of 16.7 million people – nearly 90% of the population – now need aid which is the highest number since the war began in Syria 13 years ago.