Hope for displaced
families in Syria
As families arrive from Lebanon through the Joussieh border crossing, UNICEF delivers integrated services to meet urgent needs and restore hope.
Joussieh Border crossing, Homs - One month after the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, cross‑border movements into Syria have increased significantly. By 4 April, more than 240,000 people had crossed into Syria, including nearly 37,000 Lebanese nationals.
At the Joussieh border crossing in Homs Governorate, children and their families arrive after long and distressing journeys, facing exhaustion and deep uncertainty about what lies ahead. In response, UNICEF and partners are delivering life‑saving, multi‑sectoral support to ensure that children receive care and protection upon arrival.
Through UNICEF‑supported mobile health and nutrition teams, essential services have reached to nearly 1,800 people. These included vaccinations for more than 890 children, primary health care consultations for over 3,200 children, and nutrition and maternal health counselling for some 100 mothers.
To address immediate nutrition risks, lipid‑based nutrient supplements were distributed to children, alongside micronutrient supplements for pregnant and lactating women.
To promote safe and dignified conditions at the border, UNICEF has rehabilitated previously installed water and sanitation prefabricated units, improving access to safe water and sanitation for returning families.
Child protection interventions remain a critical pillar of the response. UNICEF is supporting arriving children through the distribution of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) kits, reaching nearly 600 children as of 6 April.
The kits, designed to be engaging, help raise awareness of life‑threatening hazards and provide children with meaningful activities during long waiting hours at the border.
To support the hygiene and well‑being of women and girls, some 280 adolescent girls and female caregivers have received dignity (LAHA) kits to date, with distributions ongoing to reach the targeted 500 beneficiaries who fled with little or no personal belongings.
UNICEF remains committed to safeguarding the rights of every child during emergencies, ensuring they are protected, healthy, and able to access essential services, while supporting families as they rebuild hope for a safer and more stable future.
This support was made possible by the invaluable contributions from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).