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A girl smiles as she eats in Syria

Syria

Mary’s Meals serves meals to more than 4,000 children every school day in Syria

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Where we work

Life in Syria

Syria is currently ranked 150 out of 191 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI) and is located in the Middle East, on the far western edge of south Asia, and is bordered by Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.

Syria has been plagued by civil war since March 2011. Today, it is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. Millions of civilians have been displaced, far from their families and livelihoods. Hundreds of thousands of people have died.

The ongoing war, insufficient agricultural production and rising food prices are exacerbating the existing food insecurity problem. More than 10.8 million people (just over half the population) have insufficient food consumption.

With so many lives disrupted by years of conflict, it is extremely difficult for children to attend school. More than 2 million children are currently out of school.

A boy gives a thumbs up to camera as he eats in Syria

Mary's Meals in Syria

Mary’s Meals has been serving school meals in Syria since 2017.

Our school feeding programme in Syria provides meals for children whose young lives have been scarred by unimaginable trauma. We work with a local partner organisation, Dorcas.

Every school day, we reach more than 4,000 children in several schools in Aleppo – a city which was under siege between 2012 and 2016 – and one community centre in Hanano District. A dedicated team of volunteers prepare all the lunches in one school that has reliable access to water and electricity. The food is then delivered to the other locations across the city.

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When did we start working in Syria?

We have been serving school meals in Syria since 2017.

How many children do we reach in Syria?

Our programme provides school meals to more than 4,000 children in places of education across Aleppo and in Syrian Hanano District.

What meal do we provide?

A typical meal served to children is a sandwich wrap and fresh fruit.

Where are we based/where do we operate?

Our meals are delivered to children living in the city of Aleppo and the Hanano District.

What is the capital of Syria?

The capital city of Syria is Damascus.

What currency is used in Syria?

The Syrian Pound (SYP).

What is the population of Syria?

The population of Syria is 22,661,000.