A stronger start for children with CERF support as families return home in Syria

Country: Syrian Arab Republic Sources: UN Children's Fund, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs When Walaa, 27, returned to Kafr Zeita in Hama after years of displacement, she found her home destroyed. With nowhere else to go, her family of seven moved into a neighbour’s house, relying on unstable daily labour to survive. “It arrived when everything felt impossible,” Walaa said, recalling a message confirming she would receive cash assistance. “It changed everything.” Before assistance, the family struggled to afford even basic food. For her youngest child, one-year-old Abdulrahman, this meant limited access to nutritious meals during a critical stage of development. With support from the OCHA-managed UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF), UNICEF provided cash assistance and nutrition support to vulnerable families. Walaa used the support to buy fruit, eggs and meat, improving her children’s diet and her own nutrition while breastfeeding. “One day, I gave him a banana,” she said, smiling. “It was the first time in his life.” Soon, she saw changes in her son’s health as he gained weight and became more active. Alongside cash assistance, Walaa received guidance on infant feeding and nutrition, helping her better care for her child and share knowledge with other mothers in her community. Across Syria, many families returning home continue to face severe economic hardship, putting young children at risk of malnutrition. Integrated cash and nutrition support helps meet immediate needs while protecting children’s health and supporting long-term wellbeing. Since the beginning of 2025, UNICEF has reached nearly 87,000 people through its broader Integrated Social Protection Cash+ programme. This support helps ensure that vulnerable children receive the care they need to grow and thrive. Read more about how CERF is supporting vulnerable families in Syria: https://www.unicef.org/syria/stories/stronger-start-after-returning-home Published April 2026. Pooled Fund impact stories

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