• 22 Jan, 2026

Every day, more than one million children in Idlib governorate in northwestern Syria wake up not knowing whether they will remain safe, amid the looming threat of a large-scale escalation of violence

Many of them arrived here after fleeing their homes in other parts of Syria Idlib currently hosts the largest number of displaced people in the country The city and surrounding areas — which were already struggling to provide services such as education and healthcare — have been pushed far beyond their capacity

“Despite the devastating impact of years of fighting on Syria’s education sector, four million determined boys and girls returned to school in September”

But with the start of the new school year, children are eager to resume their education Education is a lifeline for children in crises not only because it helps them continue learning, but also because schools provide children with some stability, routine, and protection that they need to cope with the trauma they have experienced

Abdullah, Maryam, Rida, and Alifa are four children who have started their lives over again in Idlib — some of them for the second and third time These are their stories

Abdullah, 8 years old

“I am afraid of the sounds of war When I hear explosions, I run and hide In the past, I used to run to our neighbor’s house because they had a basement where they could hide”

“I am from Aleppo Years ago, when fighting reached our city, we fled to Raqqa Then fighting came to Raqqa and we fled to Idlib In Idlib, we moved several times until we finally settled in southern Idlib eight months ago”

“I want to go back to my city, Aleppo It is my city and it is much more beautiful than where we are now But the school here is nice”

Maryam, 7 years old

“I don’t know what we will do if fighting reaches our town Sometimes my father says we might have to go to Turkey if that happens”

“I am in second grade and I am from southern Idlib I like my school here because I have friends from all over Syria who go to the same school I live here with my parents and two brothers and my father sells ice cream”

Alifa, 9 years old

“I am no longer afraid of the fighting I miss my old city — in Hama, we were very comfortable and the school was nicer But I like it here now because I have made new friends at this school”

“I am in second grade, but I should have been in fourth grade I stopped going to school when we were forced to leave Hama We moved through three towns before coming here Over the past two years, we have been moving from one place to another”

Rida, 12 years old

“I am from Kafr Batna in Eastern Ghouta Now I live in southern Idlib and go to school here I am in sixth grade About six months ago, we were forced to leave Eastern Ghouta and go to northern Syria After four months, we settled in southern Idlib We were transported by buses from Eastern Ghouta to northern Syria, and from there we came to Idlib”

“I left with my father and my seven-year-old sister My sister was injured in Eastern Ghouta when shrapnel hit her neck I am afraid of war and fighting I do not know what we will do or where we will go if fighting breaks out here”