新闻及故事

Mohammed Adlani, 8 (left), and Mohammed Chami, 11, take a bus to school from the Islamic Charity Association Orphanage in Homs, Syria. Mohammed Adlani’s father died and his mother has disappeared, he lives in the orphanage with his 3 brothers. Mohammed Chami’s mother died and he lives in the orphanage with his 2 sisters and one brother because his father is unable to take care of them due to the conflict. The orphanage looks after 25 boys and 31 girls, ranging from 2 years old to 20 years old. Established in 1920, the orphanage in Homs is one of the few care facilities that provide shelter, care and education for children who may be have lost both parents, be father-less, or abandoned by parents due to the crisis. In November 2014, they had to evacuate their original location in the Al-Waer neighborhood due to a mortar attack, leaving the well-equipped facilities that included play grounds, activity halls, sports arena, and bedrooms for every child. Now the orphanage uses a rented facility in a nearby neighbourhood that lacks the required infrastructure and requires the children to sleep in dorms. They also are forced to turn away many children because they have no room. UNHCR has provided psycho-social support and core relief items and will be providing increased support in 2016. ; Homs has been witness to some of the worst fighting of the Syrian conflict and much of the city now lies in ruins. Many children have lost parents or been abandoned as a result of the conflict.