Last February when the earthquakes struck in north-west Syria, 15-year-old Adel lost everything: his home, his neighbourhood and his friends.
His family were evacuated and moved into a single room in a school shelter with 45 other displaced families.
Six months on, Adel remains traumatized by the memory of being with his neighbour when he died, and having large boulders fall onto his own leg and breaking it.
In an interview with a relief worker at the shelter, Adel described the trajectory of his life so far.
“My story is like all children of my age. I grew up in days of war and poverty, but I was used to it until the earthquake happened and I lost everything: my house, my things, I could only take my teddy bear,” he tells the worker in Arabic.
“Everything I was used to and loved, changed suddenly. Honestly, until this moment, I don’t even believe that this happened to me.”
Living in the crowded school, he knows he is safe. But Adel admits his days remain filled with anxiety and sadness.
At the start of the crisis, Plan International prioritised lifesaving and protection interventions, working urgently to reach children and their families in the most affected areas. Child protection remains at the forefront of our response. To help children like Adel in emergencies, please consider donating to the Children in Crisis Response Fund: https://bit.ly/3qafGGY
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3G6XPBWHGB8RW
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