The Syrian Future Movement commemorates International Day for Street Children today, Sunday, April 12, 2026. This day, established by Street Children International in 2011, aims to amplify the voices of millions of children deprived of their fundamental rights and to advocate for the values of dignity, equality, and protection guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its deep concern regarding the worsening phenomenon of street children in Syria. The latest UNICEF report (early 2026) indicates that approximately 6.7 million Syrian children remain in dire need of child protection services. A severe funding gap threatens the continuity of these life-saving services, forcing more children to seek refuge or work on the streets to escape poverty and displacement.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its assessment on official figures released in January 2026, which confirm that between 2.4 and 3 million Syrian children are out of school. This is the primary driver forcing these children into the streets, where they are exposed to the dangers of economic exploitation, child labor, and becoming victims of explosive remnants of war. These remnants claimed the lives of 171 children and injured 436 others in the past year alone.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that addressing the phenomenon of street children during the current transitional phase requires a comprehensive approach, beginning with the rehabilitation of 8,000 damaged schools (equivalent to 40% of the educational infrastructure). This is essential to ensure children’s return from the streets to classrooms and to protect future generations from the psychological and social trauma inflicted by living on the streets.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the international community and donor agencies to respond urgently to the “Action for Childhood in Syria 2026” appeal and to address the critical funding shortfall for protection and education programs. It emphasizes that the “human dignity” we advocate as our paramount goal begins with ensuring every Syrian child’s right to safe shelter, good health, and sustainable education, free from the harsh realities of street life.
Children’s rights are not charity; they are a commitment and a future.
