UNICEF Frequently Asked Questions

Phase I: Before Leaving Your Host Country

✓ Obtain your education transcript showing the successful completion of your last educational level that you attended, including a stamped and certified certificate outlining your academic achievements from the educational provider (school or organization).

 ✓ Certify the transcript through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country of residence.

✓ Obtain certification from the Syrian Embassy or diplomatic mission in your country of residence.

Phase II: Upon Arrival in Syria

✓ Certify all documents through the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Damascus.

 ✓ Submit the Family Booklet or an extract family certificate from the civil registry.

✓ Obtain a medical report from the school health department.

Phase III: Final Registration with the Education Authorities

✓ Submit all required documents to the Directorate of Education in the governorate where your family resides. This includes:

• School registration application
• Guardian’s signed commitment to keep the child in school until the completion of basic education
• Copy of the child’s birth certificate or civil registry entry
• Copy of the relevant Family Booklet page showing the father, mother and child
• Copy of the guardian’s personal ID
• Three passport-sized photos of the child
• Health card from the school health clinic

For more details, please see the information endorsed by the Ministry of Education 2025 Syrian students residing abroad and wishing to pursue their education in the Syria.

• To support children and adolescents who are not currently in school and are at risk of leaving the education system, the following learning opportunities are available:

📘 Formal Education: Standard school-based education following the national curriculum.

 ⏩ Accelerated Formal Education – Curriculum B:  A condensed formal education program aimed at enabling students to make up for one or more missed school years and successfully reintegrate into the formal education system.

📚 Non-Formal Education – Empowered Learning Materials (ELM):   An activity-based, non-formal learning curriculum supporting self-learning and skills building for Grades 1-9 in foundational subjects of Arabic, French, English, Mathematics, Science, Physics, and Chemistry.

🔁 Remedial Education: Targeted academic support to help learners improve their performance and keep up with their peers.

📝 Literacy Programmes: Basic reading and writing courses for children and adolescents who missed foundational education.

UNICEF welcomes your feedback, complaints, inquiries or suggestions – it helps us improve our services. You can contact us through any of the following channels:

📮 Suggestion Boxes are available at all UNICEF-supported service centers.

📞 Call Us at 0952535262 (Available Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Online Feedback Platform: Complaints and Feedback Platform

Your feedback is important to us. All comments and complaints are handled with care and confidentiality.

Once your complaint or feedback is received, UNICEF forwards it to the relevant team within the organization. Every case is reviewed thoroughly to ensure your concern is taken seriously and handled responsibly.

The assigned team will examine the issue, consult internally if needed, and take appropriate steps to address the problem or respond to your suggestion. If a response is requested, we will follow up with you as soon as possible.

Your feedback is important to us and helps improve the quality of our services.

UNICEF aims to respond as quickly as possible, usually within one week of receiving your complaint or feedback.

 How you’ll receive a response depends on how you submitted it:

• If you provided a phone number, a UNICEF team member will contact you directly.
• If no contact information was given, a notice will be posted at the service center to inform you of the outcome in a way that protects your privacy.

❗Important to know:

• You are not required to give your name. Submissions can be anonymous.
• All UNICEF-supported services are free of charge. No one should ask you for money or favors.
• Your complaint or feedback will be treated with complete confidentiality and respect for your privacy.
• Sharing a complaint or suggestion will never lead to any negative consequences for you.

Around 2,000 public primary health care centers across Syria offer free health services, especially for mothers and children. In addition, around 106 health points run by NGOs also provide care at no cost. These centers can help you with general check-ups, child health, maternal care, and more.

Yes. All vaccination services are free of charge. Vaccination services are available in all public health centers and through mobile vaccination teams that reach different areas. Vaccines are safe, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), and fully supported by UNICEF and WHO. The Ministry of Health also runs vaccination campaigns to ensure that all children under five get the vaccines they need according to their age – even if they missed doses while away.

Don’t Forget Your Child’s Vaccination Card

The vaccination card is an essential document for your child’s health and future. We strongly encourage all returning parents to bring their children’s vaccination cards when returning to Syria.

✅ Why is it important?

• It ensures your child can continue receiving the necessary vaccines without delays.
• It is often required for school enrollment.

Bringing the card helps health workers know which vaccines your child has already received, and which are still needed, keeping them safe and helping them start school on time.

If you’ve lost the card or don’t have one, don’t worry—health workers can still help you. Just visit your nearest health center after arrival.

Specialized services are limited. However, private clinics and hospitals offer quality specialized care, though these services often come at a higher cost.

Essential medicines’ availability can vary depending on the location and the type of medication needed.

The Ministry of Health and local NGOs offer a range of free nutrition services to support mothers and young children. These include:

• Early detection and treatment of child malnutrition, including wasting in children under five
• Preventive nutrition supplies – such as vitamins and supplements
• Counseling on infant and young child feeding
• If needed, treatment for moderate acute malnutrition in children under five

All those services – including the nutrition supplies – are provided completely free of charge.

• If you have a child under five:
  • Visit the nearest health center that offers nutrition services
  • Your child will receive a growth monitoring card and free nutrition supplements
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
  • Go to the nearest health center for antenatal care
  • You will receive regular check-ups, including weight and arm measurements, and iron-folate tablets
  • If you are found to be malnourished, treatment is available and should be started as soon as possible

If your child shows signs of malnutrition, please seek treatment immediately in the nearest nutrition facility – early care is very important!

• • Ask your community leader or mukhtar for guidance – they can help connect you with the right facility
  • Call the UNICEF service line 0952535262 (Available Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)1,300 Ministry of Health facilities provide nutrition services across all governorates. In addition, national NGOs supported by UNICEF also offer these services in many areas. To find the nearest center:
  • For more information on the nearest services, please check the Service Adviory Syria 

If your child shows signs of malnutrition, please seek treatment immediately in the nearest nutrition facility – early care is very important

Yes. In many areas across Syria, the public water system is operational and provides access to clean drinking water. However, the quality and availability may vary depending on your location. Many areas receive water through a schedule (for example, once or twice a week), so it’s recommended to have clean storage containers at home.

UNICEF and its partners work closely with local water authorities to improve water quality and reliability, especially in heavily affected communities. If you have concerns about water quality, you can contact your local water establishment or ask the community leader for the nearest supported facility.

Basic sanitation services are available in most return areas. These include sewage networks, though functionality can vary by location. In some rural or heavily damaged areas, services may still be under repair or reconstruction.

UNICEF supports the rehabilitation of sanitation infrastructure. If sanitation services are not fully functional in your area, local authorities and NGOs are often working to restore them.

If you face difficulties accessing safe water or sanitation, you can:

• Report on the issue to your local water establishment or municipality.
• Call the UNICEF service line 0952535262 (Available Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

Ask your community leader or mukhtar for guidance on available services.

UNICEF and partners are working to expand support, especially in areas welcoming a large number of returnees. Your feedback helps improve services.

Returning home after a long time away can be difficult for children. They may feel worried, withdrawn, have trouble sleeping, or exhibit different behaviors. Free support is available to help children and families cope.

UNICEF and its partners offer mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) through child-friendly spaces, community centers, and mobile teams. Services include individual counseling, group activities, and emotional support to help children feel safe and well.

To find the nearest service, ask at your local Department of Social Affairs and Labour (DoSAL) office, visit a nearby community center, or call 0952535262 (Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM) to speak with someone who can help you find the nearest child protection service.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to speak up. You can:

• Talk to a social worker at your local DoSAL office, a teacher, or a health worker
• Visit a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space or community center
• Call 0952535262 (Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM) to speak with someone who can help you find the nearest child protection service.

Your concerns will be handled with care and confidentiality. Help is available, and your child’s wellbeing matters.

Some areas in Syria still contain landmines or explosive remnants of war, especially in places affected by past fighting. Children are at particular risk because they may not understand the danger.

To stay safe:

• Teach your children never to touch unfamiliar objects
• Avoid damaged buildings, empty lots, or unmarked paths

Ask your community leader, local community centre, or DoSAL office about Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions in your area. These sessions, supported by UNICEF and partners, help families learn how to stay safe.

Yes. Young people aged 10-24 can join various learning programs supported by UNICEF. These include:

• Life skills citizenship education
• Technical vocational training
• Job readiness and entrepreneurship programs
• Health awareness sessions
• Sessions related to environment and climate change

These programs are offered in 43 Adolescent-Friendly Spaces and 30 mobile teams run with local NGOs in 10 governorates, and in more than 70 cultural centers of the Ministry of Culture across 14 governorates.

All programs are provided in safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces that welcome both girls and boys. They focus on peer-to-peer learning and are tailored to be age- and gender-sensitive.

Yes. 43 Adolescent-Friendly Spaces and 30 mobile teams run with local NGOs in 10 governorates, and more than 70 cultural centers of the Ministry of Culture across 14 governorates offer opportunities for adolescents to:

• Join youth clubs and engage in sports, art, and cultural activities
• Participate in community service or volunteer projects
• Learn how to design and lead their youth initiatives

These spaces help young people build confidence, connect with peers, find support, and foster their positive social, civic, and digital engagement and resilience while promoting inclusion, social cohesion, and inclusivity.

Yes. Youth aged 15-24, including those returning to Syria, can access training that helps prepare them for work. They can access such training in 43 Adolescent-Friendly Spaces and 30 mobile teams run with local NGOs in 10 governorates, as well as more than 70 cultural centers of the Ministry of Culture across 14 governorates. Training includes:

• Life skills and transferable “soft” skills
• Vocational and technical training (including digital and skills related to climate change)
• Entrepreneurship and small business development
• Apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities, in collaboration with small businesses, cities, or chambers, like in Aleppo

These programs aim to support youth in finding decent work and building a better future, while encouraging resilience and social cohesion.

UNICEF runs a program in Syria called Cash+, which provides financial support to families in vulnerable communities. The program is available only in specific areas. To check if your location is included and whether you might be eligible:

• Call this number: +963952535262
• A representative will help you find out if your area is covered, if you are eligible and will guide you on the next steps

Yes. You can apply for a disability card by visiting the Directorate of Social Affairs or the Office of Disability in your governorate. This card can help you:

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• Access specialized services from local NGOs
• Get referrals to other support services your child may need

It is a helpful way to ensure your child receives the care and support they deserve.

• UNICEF welcomes your feedback, complaints, inquiries or suggestions – it helps us improve our services. You can contact us through any of the following channels:

📮 Suggestion Boxes are available at all UNICEF-supported service centers.

📞 Call Us at 0952535262 (Available Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Online Feedback Platform: Complaints and Feedback Platform