Tortured and electrocuted, choked with chemical weapons and mercilessly slaughtered with knives, the three year catastrophe has traumatised over a million innocent Syrian children and torn them to pieces. By Miriam Kauser
This brutal civil war has consumed the youth and blown their lives apart. Broken, wounded and tormented these children are surviving wherever and however they can.
The Syrian children are facing the worst forms of deprivation.
Forced to flee their homes, over 1 million children have been left in extreme poverty with lack of food, water, medical care and inadequate living conditions.
Majority of the children have been left on the streets and thousands have been displaced in neighbouring countries after their escape.
Not only have they lost their homes, possessions, friends and family members; they suffer from health and nutritional concerns. These children are now more vulnerable to diseases.
The humiliation and the callous treatment of children does not stop here. Children have been abducted, sexually abused and deliberately targeted in violent and sexual acts. Syrian children have learnt about life and death far too soon.
Many suffer from flashbacks and endure sleeping problems.
Some have become highly aggressive or violent, while others have become abnormally quiet. Majority of the children have been denied schooling and the right to basic education. For most, school is a memory and now a dream.
Consequently, these children have been left scarred for life; physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Each and every child requires immediate attention as well as long term support in order to rebuild their shattered lives. Children should be able to rely on adults to take certain steps to ensure their safety.
Pupils of The Read School, Kansafra established by Tauheedul
Syrian children have been robbed of their future and the healing process must start now. Adequate strategies need to be put into place to assist the children both inside and outside of Syria for the rehabilitation of health, adequate living conditions and other vital services.
Education should also be a priority within the recovery phase. Attending school and having access to education is an important step towards the healing process.
This will create some normality in their lives. Failure to prioritise education can reinforce poverty and undermine economic growth.
Therefore education and schooling is fundamental in transforming the lives of these children; providing them with stability, securing their future, and empowering them to aim for the stars.
There is a dramatic difference between their world and ours. Therefore, we should all take a moment to reflect, to internalise gratitude for what we have and to pray for the Syrians and all the unfortunate people across the globe.
Miriam Kauser is responsible for marketing at Tauheedul Relief Trust.
The charity has established 9 schools inside Syria. For further details, visit www.tauheedulrelief.org or call 0800 0380 820.
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