AMMAN, Jordan, 7 November 2012 – As the canvas roof of her family’s tent flaps in the wind, Fatma* holds her son close, gently brushing dust from his face. UNICEF correspondent Guy Degen reports on how Syrian refugee families are faring in Za’atari refugee camp in northern Jordan. The baby is just 8 weeks old … Continued

BEKAA VALLEY, Lebanon, 23 October 2012 – The large chalkboard is a reminder that the crowded shelter housing Zaineb, her family and more than a hundred other Syrian refugees is actually a school. Report by Melanie Sharpe. VIDEO: UNICEF reports on an international effort to provide clean drinking water to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. “It … Continued

BEIRUT, Lebanon, 16 October 2012 – Ten-year-old Ahmed* and his family have come to Lebanon from a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian Arab Republic. They fled their camp near Damascus when fighting intensified. One day, Ahmed’s 12-year-old sister Mona had stumbled across a bloody corpse close to their home. Report by Melanie Sharpe UNICEF … Continued

MAFRAQ, Jordan, 8 October 2012 – “I’m very happy that school has started,” says Tabark, 12, who is in her fifth day of class at Za’atari refugee camp’s new emergency school. “I enjoy Arabic and writing the most. I would like to be an Arabic teacher.” Report by David Youngmeyer UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake … Continued

TRIPOLI, Lebanon, 25 September 2012 – “When my school was destroyed, my dream of becoming a doctor was destroyed,” says Asu*, 11. He is sitting in the courtyard of the Wadi Annakhle public school, outside Tripoli, which is housing Syrian refugees. He looks down. “There was a lot of shooting and bombs where we lived … Continued

AMMAN, Jordan, 11 September 2012 – Maradi pushes her 2 1/2-year-old son Safwan on a swing while holding her 4-month-old daughter Sofian. Safwan’s twin brother Omran is back in their tent with Maradi’s husband. Report by Melanie Sharpe In a playground full of noisy children, Safwan swings back and forth in silence, squinting against the … Continued

SARANDO GANDA, Niger, 5 September 2012 – In Sarando Ganda, a village along the Niger River on the outskirts of Niamey, many of the mud-brick houses have collapsed or are severely damaged, leaving 70 per cent of the population homeless. Report by Shushan Mebrahtu UNICEF reports on a rash of floods that have struck the … Continued

Adolescents take part in a UNICEF-supported outdoor art class at a school housing internally displaced persons in Damascus. It is estimated that there are more than 150,000 internally displaced persons in Damascus and rural Damascus, half of whom are estimated to be under 18. Report by Razan Rashidi DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic, 5 September 2012 … Continued

DOHUK, Iraq, 22 August 2012- The first thing that strikes you as you walk into the Domiz refugee camp is the number of children – running, playing or just sitting by their tents. When I mention this to the local camp administrator, he tells me that almost all the Syrian refugee families that have been … Continued

ZA’ATARI, Jordan, 17 August – The number of Syrian refugees crossing to Jordan is rising. To date, more than 7,000 people live in the tented Za’atari camp in Mafraq, north of Jordan. They are battered with frequent sand storms, hot weather and lack of natural shade. Report by Hala Abu Khatwa. UNICEF correspondent Hala Abu … Continued

AMMAN, Jordan, 15 August 2012 – Umm Ghassan sat inside her tent in Za’atari camp, holding her two-year-old grandchild.  She was waiting for the child’s siblings and mother, who had gone to fetch the water necessary to meet the family’s drinking and washing needs. Report by Hala Abu Khatwa Umm Ghassan wants to return to … Continued

As Syrians pour into Jordan, work is underway not only to provide essential safe water and sanitation, but to make sure the water lasts.  Jordan is the fourth most water scarce country in the world and the influx of people is putting a strain on an already limited water supply. Report by Wendy Bruere, RAMTHA, … Continued