The Problem
According to World Vision million Syrians have fled their homes because of conflict: half are children. Neighboring countries have taken in millions of refugees fleeing their war-torn state. For many countries, such as Jordan. Turkey, and Lebanon, the influx of refugees is putting an immense strain on their already limited resources. The heartbreaking truth that with this terrorism, comes the neglect for our world’s children. Millions have been forced to quit school (World Vision).
People of fleeing due to violence from the civil war and the well-known terrorist organization ISIS. In addition to the war, a collapsed infrastructure and the threat to their children’s safety. Making the dangerous journey to Europe or other, safer countries is often the only option left for families. In hopes of escaping such horrific violence, many children and adults are risking their lives - hoping European or other western countries will take them in. It is important to remember that these people are refugees, not migrants. Under international law, most all countries are obligated to take in refugees, whereas they have the right to turn away migrants.
Save the Children Video: 'Imagines if London Were War Town Syria'
Education
Education plays a key role in how Syria's future will play out.
- Lebanon
- 80% of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon were not in school (UNHCR).
- UNHCR estimates that 20% of Syrian refugee children drop out of school in Lebanon - twice the average for Lebanese children.
- Up to 200,000 Syrian children will receive a free education in Lebanon (Reuters). While it is an decision of high morality, this commitment strains the Lebanese economy and education system immensely.
- Transportation to school is a big problem, as it is often unsafe for the children to travel alone. A group of mothers said, "What choice do we have?" even though one of their teenage sons was beaten up by a gang during his dangerous trip home from school (UNHCR).
- Jordan
- 56% of Syrian refugee children in Jordan were not in school. (Jordan Ministry of Education)
- Many reported cases speak to the verbal abuse that takes place in some Jordanian schools, victimizing Syrian children and blaming them for taking up the country's already limited resources. This abuse is the cause for many children to drop out of school before graduating. (UNHCR)
- School in Jordan are overflowing. Classrooms are full and often do not even accommodate all the children in the region. (UNHCR)
- 'Any child who misses more than three years of schooling is not eligible to enroll in formal education' (UNHCR). This rule is a problem for families who have spent years fleeing or were internally displaced before leaving. Even if children haven't been out of school for a full three years, not attending school for months or years can be a deterrent for young kids.
Citation: UNHCR , Reuters, Jordan Ministry of Education
Statistics
Number of Syrian Refugees in Other Countries
| Lebanon | Turkey | United States of America | Germany | Sweden | United Kingdom |
| 1.2 million Syrian refugees | 2 million Syrian refugees | 1,869 Syrian refugees (2015) | 44,910 Syrian refugees (2015) | 13,220 Syrian refugees (2015) | 1,055 Syrian refugees (2015) |
Citation: The Guardian, Eurostat, and Refugee Processing Center