Crisis and conflict support

For 10 years, conflict has raged in Syria. The consequences have been devastating, with lives lost, education disrupted, hospitals destroyed and millions of people displaced. Now, life is also lived under the shadow of COVID-19. Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has been supporting Syrians impacted by the crisis and their host communities in Jordan and Lebanon, with help from players of People's Postcode Lottery.

HI delivers support to thousands of people, many of them Syrians injured in the conflict. In 2020 alone, HI delivered rehabilitation sessions to 37,788 individuals and reached 29,888 people with psychosocial support. The charity also shared vital hygiene awareness messages and resources to keep people stay safe from COVID-19, helping save lives.

A key part of HI's work is risk education. Unexploded weapons litter the landscape in Syria, and their bright colours and strange shapes can be appealing to children. One study showed that one in five victims of explosive weapons are children, and half of them were playing at the time of their injury. HI's teams teach communities how to stay safe, protecting at-risk populations now and into the future. Thanks to player support, an incredible 459,094 people received risk education from HI in 2019.

Stop Bombing Civilians is HI's campaign to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

When bombs strike in countries like Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan, men, women and children going about their daily lives become the innocent victims of war. The experience is traumatising, with victims left severely injured and families devastated by the loss of loved ones. HI teams frequently hear stories from citizens who have suffered life-changing injuries, including children like Salam, a ten-year-old girl who lives in Irbid, Jordan.

In 2015, Salam was playing with her brother in a field near her house in Syria when her life changed forever. She came across an intriguing looking object and was drawn to explore it, unaware it was a cluster munition. Just one touch caused the bomb to explode.

Salam's injuries were so serious that she was moved to Jordan, where her left leg and right toes were amputated. She now has scars all over her lower body.

Since the incident, HI has assisted Salam with rehabilitation and psychosocial support sessions to help her rebuild her life, allowing her to gain confidence and independence that will improve her future.

Her father said, "We used to carry Salam to school, but since HI has given Salam a prosthesis, she can easily walk to school to receive an education and build her dream to become a doctor."

HI knows every person has their own story. The charity is driven to give patient-centred support, tailored to the needs of individuals and founded on the power of community. With ongoing player support, HI can continue to work with partners, health care centres and Ministries of Health and Social Affairs to ensure sustainable, effective and accessible care.

HI has received £750,000 thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery.