The psychological trauma caused by living through war is devastating beyond words. Syria is facing a trauma epidemic. Experts believe that all of Syria’s children need some form of trauma counselling.

Syria Relief/Action For Humanity conducts psychosocial support sessions across Syria and neighbouring countries where we assess the needs of patients. Our team then coordinates with psychologists according to our patient's needs.

Dunya, aged 43 had tolerated an abusive relationship for many years which left her in a state of complete psychological distress which was only exacerbated by the brutal and bloody war. Like millions of women around the world, Dunya was faced with the dilemma of losing her children or struggling to survive as a single mother.

Dunya is now undergoing the necessary psychosocial support; we have also implemented follow-up plans to ensure her wellbeing. In addition to this, she is now participating in our female empowerment courses and activities to support her psychosocial development.

The availability of centres and safe areas of communication and support are the most essential first steps to providing women like Dunya with a voice and a road to recovery.

Our Livelihood Programme works to foster cooperation in communities, encourage self-reliance of individuals, and boosts their prospects and morale in these dire times. All of our interventions are carried out with strict recognition of and respect for the Syrian culture, as well as the landscape and needs of the communities in which we operate. ln besieged and hard-to-reach areas - where an estimated 4.5 million people reside - insecurity further compromises the availability of basic food commodities and livelihood opportunities.

Crop production has been adversely affected by the scarcity and high prices of agricultural inputs and fuel, low-quality inputs, damaged irrigation infrastructure, shortages and high cost of farm labour, and loss of or damage to standing crops. Additionally, livestock numbers have fallen drastically. In urban and rural areas, labour markets are adequately functioning to have a demand for certain essential services. Our vocational training projects have included some of those essential services identified.

We also support numerous child-friendly spaces across Syria which provide safe areas for children to play, sing and make friends. A variety of recreational and educational activities are held at these centres, that aim to protect children from harm whilst restoring something close normality in their lives.

At our child-friendly spaces, our psychologists enable children to communicate their trauma and express their feelings through a range of child-counselling techniques, including arts and crafts, singing and dancing, and storytelling therapies. Children and their caregivers can also receive psychosocial support at the centres to help them overcome the trauma they have experienced.