There is a mental health crisis, especially among children, in Northwest Syria, as a result of the earthquakes which first struck on 6 February 2023 (one month ago today) and the conflict which began 12 years ago this month. Mental health experts believe that the devastation of the earthquake, and the series of aftershocks and displacement resulting from it, will further worsen the mental health needs of children. 

The death toll continues to rise hour by hour and has now sadly climbed above 21,000 in both Syria and Türkiye. As the international effort gathers pace in Türkiye, Syria is significantly underserved and remains a serious concern. World Vision has worked rapidly to assess the needs to already-displaced children and communities in the wake of the earthquake and are scaling up our emergency response.

"...if I can live my life comfortably with the money that I have, why not challenge myself to also put aside a sum of money every month to give to these children," shared Shawn.

Hundreds of thousands of children in Northern Syria are currently stranded outside of their homes and are becoming even more vulnerable to family separation, exploitation and abuse. Children are also at risk of hypothermia as they struggle to survive in freezing temperatures. Children will also be out of school as the buildings are still deemed unsafe. 

The major concerns at the moment are displaced people sleeping wherever they can. People are building fires in oil drums, sleeping outside, sleeping on chairs and in cars, trying to find anywhere that is warm, anywhere except in a building that has the potential to collapse. Buildings and homes remain unstable.

When you know yourself, and your capabilities, no barrier of hindrances is too big. Former sponsored child, Kit, shares how his life had a 180-degree shift after he became a sponsored child in a World Vision community. 

As the Ukraine conflict, climate shocks, and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic converge to undermine food supplies and economies, the risk of famine continues to intensify for children and families worldwide. Approximately 50 million girls, boys and their families in 45 countries are on the brink of starvation.

"As I could not afford to fulfill the needs of my family, my eldest daughter worked in a restaurant to have more income and the younger one worked on household chores.”

If you could change a child's life today, would you? Find out why this mum decided to become a child sponsor, and how it changed her life and her relationship with her own children. 

2022 has seen its fair share of global issues. Right now, there are more refugees and displaced people in the world than at any other time in history with 82.4 million people who have been forced from their homes.