Surviving war in Damascus

In the heart of Old Damascus,, where life is marked by challenges and hardships, lives Maya. At just 14 years old, she carries burdens far beyond her years.

Maya, like many children whose lives have been profoundly affected by Syria's 13-year-long conflict, is forced to work to help her family survive. After fleeing Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria due to the war, she and her family settled in Damascus, searching for a better future. However, the dire economic conditions they face have left them no choice but to collect cardboard and plastic from streets and garbage bins to make a living.

Every morning, Maya and her family set out to collect cardboard from the streets. “We carefully sort it into different categories,” she says. “By evening, we come together, sell what we’ve collected, and use the earnings to buy essential items for our home.

Over 80% of Syrians live below the poverty line, with millions being displaced multiple times. This economic pressure often forces families to resort to child labor as a coping mechanism, especially in urban centers like Damascus and among displaced communities.

This statistic is supported by various reports and studies on the impact of Syria’s ongoing conflict, which have highlighted that economic hardship and displacement have significantly contributed to the rise in child labor. Families struggling to survive in these conditions often rely on their children to help provide for the household.

Maya is not alone in her efforts; her mother and sisters also contribute by collecting recyclable materials. On some days, Maya joins her cousins in gathering cardboard, while her mother focuses on searching through metal containers. Despite the hardships of this labor, Maya always strives to find hope in her small dreams, refusing to let the weight of her circumstances overshadow her aspirations.

Maya, who shares her dreams openly, explains, "I dream of becoming a seamstress. When I was in school, I wanted to be a teacher or a principal, but life took me in a different direction. Now, my goal is to become a seamstress and rely on myself." Despite the hardships she faces.

Maya’s mother reflects on the difficult changes their family faced after fleeing Deir ez-Zor due to the war, a time when their lives were filled with peace and security. She shares, "We were farmers, with a cow we milked and made yogurt from. Our life was simple and happy. But after the war, everything changed.

Fear...

The work Maya and her family do in collecting recyclable materials is fraught with challenges. At times, they face threats from individuals who try to stop them from collecting what they find. Maya recalls one such incident: "There was someone who threatened to burn everything we had gathered. We were scared, but we keep going because we have no other choice.

Despite the hardships, Maya remains focused on her dreams and the future. She expresses a desire for a more stable profession, such as sewing, rather than continuing to collect waste. As Maya explains, "I dream of working in a sewing workshop instead of gathering trash. I want to work independently and support myself."

Despite the challenging circumstances, the family remains closely united. When the mother is asked about her fears for her children, particularly her daughters, she reflects, saying, "I am constantly worried about them, especially the girls. Out of this fear, I married off my daughter Maya when she was just fourteen.

Even with the tremendous sacrifices and difficult living conditions, Maya and her family remain hopeful. "Each day offers a new chance to seek out hope and chase our dreams, no matter the obstacles," says Maya.

Numbers and Statistics

36%

Reports indicate that 36% of children in Syria are engaged in some form of child labor, with boys more likely to be involved in hazardous work such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing.

7%

Among female-headed households, 7% of children aged 15–17 are engaged in labor, compared to 2% in male-headed households, reflecting gendered economic vulnerabilities.

48%

According to a UNOCHA survey, 48% of families cited child labor as the main reason their children are not attending school.

Nearly 2.4 million school-aged children are out of school across Syria, and the economic crisis forces many to work instead of pursuing an education.

Over 30% of children in northern Syria report severe psychosocial distress, exacerbated by the need to work at a young age, often under harsh and unsafe conditions.

Over 70% of Syrian households in conflict zones rely on child labor as a source of income due to extreme poverty and displacement. Children often work in dangerous and exploitative conditions.