The desire to learn and better themselves is strong among Syrian girl refugees

Hanan, 16, is one of the many young girls who have fled Syria in the wake of the devastating conflict. She now lives in the Zaa’tari refugee camp on the Syrian-Jordanian border with her family, which she describes as ‘okay.’

UNICEF Ireland Ambassador and Irish rugby star, Donncha O’Callaghan, went back to his old school, CBC Cork, with RTÉ’s Two Tube to talk about his recent visit to meet Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.

O’Callaghan, who met severely malnourished and sick children living in tented settlements in Lebanon, appealed to individuals, schools and communities all over Ireland to raise funds for UNICEF’s lifesaving work.

I imagine I was just one of many people in Cork deeply upset by the images of children lying dead in their homes in Syria which was all over our newspapers and TV screens this week. I first saw the photos on Twitter and was compelled to share my feelings of horror straight away. I … Continued

The devastating conflict in the Syria has forced one million children to flee their homes. Eight-year-old Aya is one of them. Her smile is contagious. Her energy is infectious. She’s playful, she’s sporty, she’s talented. Eight-year-old Aya loves to talk, she loves to sing and she loves to learn. Every day, she takes lessons in … Continued

Education activist Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan addresses youth delegates at the Malala Day celebration and UN Youth Assembly at UNHQ. Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2013-0391/Markisz“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” These are the words of one of the world’s most inspirational teenagers- a young woman who has already changed the world at … Continued

Today on World Humanitarian Day we are taking a moment to celebrate our colleagues all over the world who do remarkable work in some of the most dangerous and difficult environments on the planet. We also remember our colleagues who have lost their lives in this service, including the 22 people who were killed on … Continued

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare – one day you simply run out of food and can no longer feed your children. This was the reality faced by Kumani, a mother who owns a small plot of land in Chad where her family have always grown peanuts, sorghum and beans to feed themselves. Droughts in 2005 … Continued

In October 2012, 14 year old Malala Yousafzai was shot in Pakistan. In December 2012, 26 pupils and teachers shot in a school in Newtown, Connecticut. In 2013, we saw reports about young girls being gang raped in India and South Africa. These were the stories we saw. But so many cases of violence against … Continued

As temperatures climb in Za’atari refugee camp, volunteer health workers educate refugees on the importance of good sanitation. Report by Toby Fricker. It’s summer in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan. A timely campaign sees teams of Syrian community health workers promoting safe hygiene practices from tent to tent to prevent the diseases that thrive in the … Continued

HOMS, Syrian Arab Republic, 18 June 2013 – A recently rehabilitated centre in a relatively quiet neighbourhood in Homs City is abuzz.  Report by: Alma Hassoun An adolescent-friendly centre in Homs, Syrian Arab Republic, proves a popular retreat for the adolescents who frequent the centre and its young volunteers, alike. © UNICEF Syrian Arab Republic/2013 … Continued

DOMIZ, Iraq, 22 May 2013 – The Domiz refugee camp, which sits about 60 kilometres from the Syrian border amidst an imposing mountain landscape, was originally built to accommodate 22,000 people. Today it is home to around 40,000 Syrian refugees. [UNICEF Regional Health Advisor Mahendra Sheth visits a UNICEF vaccination campaign in a camp for … Continued

IRBID, Jordan, 2 May 2013 – Eleven-year-old Hanin proudly arranges her artwork on the living room floor. Her drawings of brightly coloured flowers reflect happier times. Report by Toby Fricker UNICEF’s Toby Fricker brings you the story of 11-year-old Hanin, who was displaced from her home in the Syrian Arab Republic and is now living … Continued