-
European Union holds Brussels Conference 6 to support future of Syria
-
Syria today is one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a child. An entire generation is struggling to survive.

The European Union organises the Sixth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” on 9 and 10 May 2022.
The Ministerial meeting on the 10 May takes place in person in Brussels, while the Day of Dialogue on 9 May was held in a hybrid format to provide an opportunity for the broadest participation by civil society organisations in the region.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell spoke at the conference, giving full remarks on the situation of Syrian children. She said:
Excellencies, colleagues, and friends, Thank you very much for inviting me here today.
Syria today is one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a child. An entire generation is struggling to survive.
Nearly 90 per cent of people in Syria live in poverty. More than 6.5 million children need urgent assistance – the greatest number of Syrian children in need since the conflict began.
Eleven years of conflict and sanctions have had a devastating impact on Syria’s economy, setting development back 25 years. Most of the basic systems and services children depend on – health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and social protection – have been cut to the bone.
Families are struggling to put food on the table. Between February and March (this year), the price of the standard food basket jumped by nearly 24 per cent.
Nearly one-third of all children are chronically malnourished. And the impact of the war in Ukraine on food prices is making a bad situation even worse.

flee from shelling on Hama and Idlib provinces
on May 1, 2019. (File photo: AFP)
These are dangerous, even deadly, times to be a child in Syria.
Attacks on civilian infrastructure have become commonplace. More than 600 medical facilities, among them maternal and children’s hospitals, have come under attack.
Since the war began, we can verify that nearly 13,000 children have been killed or injured – but we know the toll is much higher.
The war hasn’t only scarred Syria’s children physically. Last year, one-third of all children in Syria showed signs of psychological distress – invisible wounds that can last a lifetime.
Children who have fled the war in Syria have also experienced trauma. Roughly 2.8 million (Syrian) children are now living in n Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey.
UNICEF warns more than 12 million Syrian children need aid
These children’s lives are riddled with loss, risk, and uncertainty. As one 11-year-old girl told a UNICEF staff member, “I don’t know what the word home means.”
Eleven years of war, disruption, and displacement have also threatened the education of an entire generation. More than 3 million Syrian children are still out of school. But against all odds, approximately 4.5 million children from Syria have access to learning opportunities.
This is thanks to generous funding from donors through initiatives like (The) No Lost Generation, co-led by UNICEF. But it could not be happening without the continuous efforts of local communities, teachers, civil society, and international organisations.
Fifteen thousand Syrian children face the threat of homelessness
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and commend the generosity and commitment that neighbouring countries – their governments and their people – continue to show.
Many of these countries face their own challenges. Hosting so many children and their families is an additional strain, which makes their generosity even more remarkable.
We know that other crises affecting children are dominating headlines. But the world must not forget Syria’s children.
Palestinians begin aid campaign to build homes for Syrian refugees
Their lives are just as precious – and their futures are just as important.
First and foremost, they need an end to this long, fruitless war. There can be no military solution to this crisis. Only peace can prevent Syria’s children from truly becoming a lost generation.
We also call for an immediate end to all grave violations against children in Syria, including the killing and injuring of children.
Return of Syrian refugees key topic in Turkish Foreign Minister’s talks in Lebanon
Until a sustainable solution can be reached, UNICEF and our partners will continue to do everything we can to reach every child, wherever they are.
The renewal of the Security Council Resolution permitting UN partners to deliver assistance to northern Syria is a critical milestone. We also need to upscale recovery all over Syria – restoring basic systems and services in every sector, to reach every child.
hat includes investing in and removing barriers to education. These children are the future of Syria. They need an education and skills to help rebuild their country when peace is restored.
HRW: Syrian refugees who returned home are risking abuse and persecution
We cannot help the children of Syria without sustained flexible support. UNICEF currently requires 312 million dollars to respond in Syria and urgently requires an additional 20 million dollars to support our work in northwest Syria. To date, we have received less than half of what we require to respond to the needs of Syrian children.
We are counting on you to provide that support. More important, Syria’s children are counting on all of us.
levantnews
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!