Syrian Girl, 8, Walks Overnight to Escape Shelling, Save the Children Protects Childhoods Amid War as Aid Becomes a Race Against Time
HONG KONG, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With shells drawing near and only minutes to escape, what would you save? "I was forced to leave everything behind – my toys, my clothes, all the things I loved," said 8-year-old Syrian girl Amal. In the harsh winter of 2024, she and her family walked for two days to flee the conflict, carrying nothing but the thin clothes on their backs. Food, water, shelter, and even a sense of security were all unwillingly left behind.
A Tent for a Home: A Childhood Rewritten by War
In 2018, war first forced Amal from her home, relocating her to a camp in Northeast Syria. In December 2024, as the conflict escalated once more, she and her family were forced to flee overnight. "The road was filled with the sounds of explosions and roaring planes. I saw some children freeze to death in the wilderness... We could only desperately push forward," recalled Amal's father, Hasan. Describing the two-day trek in the bitter cold, he said, "The children suffered immensely. They kept crying, begging to go home, but there was nothing we could do. We abandoned all our possessions just to save our lives. "Still shaken, Hasan remembered, "We adults were terrified too, but for the sake of our children, we had to stay strong."
Since December 2024, the escalating conflict in Syria has displaced over 15,000 families. This is the third time Amal has been displaced in her short eight years; her "home" has shrunk to a tent that could vanish at any moment. What Amal left behind was more than just a house—it was her childhood. She misses the home with apple and orange trees, and the friends she played hide-and-seek with every day. Now, all of that is out of reach. Despite this, Amal holds on to a dream, "One day, I want to become a doctor and help children when they are sick." The war has stolen what should have been a carefree childhood—no school, no peaceful nights, not even a predictable tomorrow.
What Would You Save?— Save the Children Supports Children's Survival Needs
When Amal's family arrived at the new camp, exhausted, the Save the Children team immediately provided them with Ready-to-Eat kits, hygiene kits, blankets and mattresses to fend off the cold winter nights, addressing their most urgent needs as an initial response. However, life in the tent remains a struggle. "When it rains, the tent leaks, and we can't sleep. When it's windy, we're cold, scared, and shivering." Amal shared. Since 2012, Save the Children has provided aid to 8.3 million people in Syria, including 4.8 million children like Amal, offering food, clean water, emotional and psychosocial support, shelter, healthcare, and education services.
Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, stated, "Whenever a conflict or disaster strikes, children are always the first to bear the brunt. They lose not just their belongings, but also their health, safety, education, a secure environment to grow up in, and a precious, fulfilling childhood. The Children's Emergency Fund was established to ensure that children in crisis receive the support they need to survive—from basic food and warmth to medical care, from a safe place to live to physical and psychological support. We appeal to the public to extend a helping hand and support children in distress."
In 2024, Save the Children's humanitarian work has helped over 20 million people worldwide, including 12.8 million children. The organisation has also provided support in humanitarian crises such as the conflict in Ukraine, the escalation of conflict in Lebanon, and the earthquake in Myanmar. Please support Save the Children's emergency relief work: https://savethechildren.click/wwys-support-amal-pr-en.
About Save the Children Hong Kong
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world's first and leading independent children's organisation – transforming lives and the future we share.
Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.
Visit our website, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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