Syria’s refugee children: Alone, ‘in crisis,’ UN report says

Marie-Louise Gumuchian, CNN
Updated 10:54 AM EST, Fri November 29, 2013
Syrian refugees board a boat bound for Turkey at a port in Kyrenia, Cyprus, on Sunday, November 23. Some 220 Syrian migrants crammed onto a fishing boat were rescued by a cruise ship off Cyprus' northern coast after their vessel hit rough seas in the Mediterranean Sea, authorities said.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees board a boat bound for Turkey at a port in Kyrenia, Cyprus, on Sunday, November 23. Some 220 Syrian migrants crammed onto a fishing boat were rescued by a cruise ship off Cyprus' northern coast after their vessel hit rough seas in the Mediterranean Sea, authorities said.
Yiannis Kourtoglou/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian Kurdish child looks through the ventilation hole of a tent at a camp in Suruc, Turkey, on Wednesday, November 19. Tens of thousands of people fled the Syrian city of Kobani, alson known as Ayn al-Arab, because of the militant group ISIS.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian Kurdish child looks through the ventilation hole of a tent at a camp in Suruc, Turkey, on Wednesday, November 19. Tens of thousands of people fled the Syrian city of Kobani, alson known as Ayn al-Arab, because of the militant group ISIS.
Vadim Ghirda
A fly lands on the toe of 8-year-old Mahmut Munir, a Syrian Kurdish refugee boy from Kobani, inside a tent in Suruc on November 19. The boy was reportedly injured in a mortar attack by ISIS militants.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A fly lands on the toe of 8-year-old Mahmut Munir, a Syrian Kurdish refugee boy from Kobani, inside a tent in Suruc on November 19. The boy was reportedly injured in a mortar attack by ISIS militants.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Kurdish children from the Kobani area speak after receiving food rations at a camp in Suruc on Tuesday, November 18.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Kurdish children from the Kobani area speak after receiving food rations at a camp in Suruc on Tuesday, November 18.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
A Syrian Kurdish refugee pins a picture of her son on a wall in Suruc on Tuesday, November 11. She says he died during a battle in Kobani.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian Kurdish refugee pins a picture of her son on a wall in Suruc on Tuesday, November 11. She says he died during a battle in Kobani.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian Kurdish refugees collect clothes and shoes donated by civilians at a camp in Suruc on November 11.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian Kurdish refugees collect clothes and shoes donated by civilians at a camp in Suruc on November 11.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian Kurdish refugees sit outside tents at a camp in Suruc on November 11.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian Kurdish refugees sit outside tents at a camp in Suruc on November 11.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee wraps herself in a blanket as she stands near tents near Sanliurfa, Turkey, on Thursday, October 2.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee wraps herself in a blanket as she stands near tents near Sanliurfa, Turkey, on Thursday, October 2.
Ulas Yunus Tosun/EPA/Landov
Syrian Kurds wait behind border fences to cross into Suruc on Sunday, September 28.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian Kurds wait behind border fences to cross into Suruc on Sunday, September 28.
Stringer/Getty Images
A Kurdish woman crosses into Suruc on Tuesday, September 23.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Kurdish woman crosses into Suruc on Tuesday, September 23.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian Kurdish boy is vaccinated as he arrives in Suruc on September 23. The United Nations estimates that more than 2.5 million Syrians have fled their country since an uprising in March 2011 spiraled into civil war.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian Kurdish boy is vaccinated as he arrives in Suruc on September 23. The United Nations estimates that more than 2.5 million Syrians have fled their country since an uprising in March 2011 spiraled into civil war.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A woman carries belongings across the border between Turkey and Syria on September 23.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A woman carries belongings across the border between Turkey and Syria on September 23.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee watches the sunrise Wednesday, April 2, after sleeping outside the Center for Temporary Stay of Immigrants in Melilla, Spain.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee watches the sunrise Wednesday, April 2, after sleeping outside the Center for Temporary Stay of Immigrants in Melilla, Spain.
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
Mustafa Ahmad, who lost his leg in 2011 when government warplanes bombed his neighborhood in Syria, is fitted with a prosthetic leg at a refugee camp Thursday, March 27, in Jib Janine, Lebanon.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Mustafa Ahmad, who lost his leg in 2011 when government warplanes bombed his neighborhood in Syria, is fitted with a prosthetic leg at a refugee camp Thursday, March 27, in Jib Janine, Lebanon.
Bilal Hussein/AP
The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East delivered humanitarian aid packages to the Yarmouk refugee camps in Syria on Friday, March 21.
Syria's refugee crisis —
The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East delivered humanitarian aid packages to the Yarmouk refugee camps in Syria on Friday, March 21.
Rami el Sayed/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A boy uses a tool to dig a hole at the Zaatari refugee camp in northern Jordan on Saturday, March 15.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A boy uses a tool to dig a hole at the Zaatari refugee camp in northern Jordan on Saturday, March 15.
KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugees enter Turkey via the Cilvegozu border gate in Hatay, Turkey, on Saturday, January 18.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees enter Turkey via the Cilvegozu border gate in Hatay, Turkey, on Saturday, January 18.
Cem Genco/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Syrian children cross the border at the Cilvegozu gate on January 18.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian children cross the border at the Cilvegozu gate on January 18.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian children walk on the street after attending school January 18 in Hatay.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian children walk on the street after attending school January 18 in Hatay.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
A child looks through a window while food and aid is distributed at a refugee center in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday, December 17.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A child looks through a window while food and aid is distributed at a refugee center in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday, December 17.
NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images
A man feeds his child in the Arsal refugee camp in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Sunday, December 15.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A man feeds his child in the Arsal refugee camp in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Sunday, December 15.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian children play with snow in the Arsal refugee camp on December 15.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian children play with snow in the Arsal refugee camp on December 15.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Snow covers the ground at a refugee camp in Arsal on Friday, December 13.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Snow covers the ground at a refugee camp in Arsal on Friday, December 13.
Stringer/AFP/Getty images
Young Syrian refugees build a snowman following a storm in the Lebanese village of Baaloul on Thursday, December 12.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Young Syrian refugees build a snowman following a storm in the Lebanese village of Baaloul on Thursday, December 12.
MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugee widow Ikhlas Halawani feeds her daughter breakfast during a snowstorm in Amman, Jordan, on December 12.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugee widow Ikhlas Halawani feeds her daughter breakfast during a snowstorm in Amman, Jordan, on December 12.
Mohammad Hannon/AP
After crossing into Jordan's Ruweished camp on Thursday, December 5, a Syrian boy searches for his mother while other refugees board a Jordanian military vehicle.
Syria's refugee crisis —
After crossing into Jordan's Ruweished camp on Thursday, December 5, a Syrian boy searches for his mother while other refugees board a Jordanian military vehicle.
Mohammad Hannon/AP
Newly arrived Syrian refugees carry their belongings and children after crossing into Jordan's Ruweished camp on December 5.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Newly arrived Syrian refugees carry their belongings and children after crossing into Jordan's Ruweished camp on December 5.
Mohammad Hannon/AP
Syrian refugees wait in line to receive winter aid kits at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq, Jordan, on Tuesday, December 3.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees wait in line to receive winter aid kits at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq, Jordan, on Tuesday, December 3.
Mohammad Hannon/AP
Refugees watch a new trailer being placed in the Zaatari camp on December 3.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Refugees watch a new trailer being placed in the Zaatari camp on December 3.
Mohammad Hannon/AP
A Syrian child looks out from his tent at a refugee camp in Arsal on Friday, November 29.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian child looks out from his tent at a refugee camp in Arsal on Friday, November 29.
Hussein Malla/AP
A girl crosses a puddle during the first snowfall of the season in a refugee camp in Harmanli, Bulgaria, on Wednesday, November 27.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A girl crosses a puddle during the first snowfall of the season in a refugee camp in Harmanli, Bulgaria, on Wednesday, November 27.
NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images
Young Syrian refugees play at the recently opened Vrazhdebna shelter in Sofia on Friday, November 22.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Young Syrian refugees play at the recently opened Vrazhdebna shelter in Sofia on Friday, November 22.
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugees warm themselves near open fires at a refugee camp in Harmanli on Thursday, November 21.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees warm themselves near open fires at a refugee camp in Harmanli on Thursday, November 21.
Valentina Petrova/AP
Syrian refugees go about their daily lives in an Istanbul park on Sunday, November 3.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees go about their daily lives in an Istanbul park on Sunday, November 3.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee uses a rope to climb a tree at the Vrazhdebna shelter on Tuesday, October 29.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee uses a rope to climb a tree at the Vrazhdebna shelter on Tuesday, October 29.
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugees are turned back after being refused entry into northern Iraq on Wednesday, October 23.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees are turned back after being refused entry into northern Iraq on Wednesday, October 23.
Mauricio Morales/AFP/Getty Images
Refugees wait to get medical attention at the Vrazhdebna shelter on Saturday, October 19. The shelter is a former school.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Refugees wait to get medical attention at the Vrazhdebna shelter on Saturday, October 19. The shelter is a former school.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee begs with her children on a street in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday, October 18.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee begs with her children on a street in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday, October 18.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
Kurdish women grieve during a visit to a cemetery in Derik, Syria, on Tuesday, October 15.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Kurdish women grieve during a visit to a cemetery in Derik, Syria, on Tuesday, October 15.
AFP/Getty Images
Young Syrian refugees from Aleppo sit with their mother on the steps of a Beirut bank in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Young Syrian refugees from Aleppo sit with their mother on the steps of a Beirut bank in September 2013.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
Two Syrian refugees sit on a Beirut street in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Two Syrian refugees sit on a Beirut street in September 2013.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
Young Syrian refugees sit with their father as he prepares coffee to sell on a street in Beirut in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Young Syrian refugees sit with their father as he prepares coffee to sell on a street in Beirut in September 2013.
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee boy practices taekwondo at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee boy practices taekwondo at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
Bela Szandelszky/ap
A young Syrian girl washes a pan at the Atme refugee camp along the Turkish border in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A young Syrian girl washes a pan at the Atme refugee camp along the Turkish border in September 2013.
GIOVANNI DIFFIDENTI/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugee children watch Korean and Syrian taekwondo instructors during training at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugee children watch Korean and Syrian taekwondo instructors during training at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in September 2013.
Bela Szandelszky/ap
A Syrian woman carries her baby across the border into Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian woman carries her baby across the border into Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate in September 2013.
TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA/LANDOV
A Syrian girl stands with her mother in a makeshift tent as they wait to enter an official refugee camp at the Oncupinar border gate in Kilis, Turkey, in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian girl stands with her mother in a makeshift tent as they wait to enter an official refugee camp at the Oncupinar border gate in Kilis, Turkey, in September 2013.
TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA/LANDOV
A Syrian girl eats a tomato at a temporary refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of al-Faour in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian girl eats a tomato at a temporary refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of al-Faour in September 2013.
Nariman El-Mofty/ap
A Syrian refugee girl drinks water from a hose near a temporary refugee camp in an eastern Lebanese town in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee girl drinks water from a hose near a temporary refugee camp in an eastern Lebanese town in September 2013.
Nariman El-Mofty/ap
In September 2013, Lower Saxony's Commissioner for Migration and Participation Doris Schroeder-Koempf, along with German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, center, greet the first of many Syrian refugees that have been granted temporary asylum in Germany.
Syria's refugee crisis —
In September 2013, Lower Saxony's Commissioner for Migration and Participation Doris Schroeder-Koempf, along with German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, center, greet the first of many Syrian refugees that have been granted temporary asylum in Germany.
JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE /EPA/LANDOV
A refugee boy sits on the ground at a temporary refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of al-Faour in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A refugee boy sits on the ground at a temporary refugee camp in the eastern Lebanese town of al-Faour in September 2013.
Hussein Malla/ap
Syrian refugee children run near their tents at a temporary refugee camp near the Lebanese border in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugee children run near their tents at a temporary refugee camp near the Lebanese border in September 2013.
Nariman El-Mofty/ap
Mustafa Abu Bekir, who was wounded while fighting with the Free Syrian Army, smiles as he meets relatives after crossing the Cilvegozu gate border in Turkey's Hatay province in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Mustafa Abu Bekir, who was wounded while fighting with the Free Syrian Army, smiles as he meets relatives after crossing the Cilvegozu gate border in Turkey's Hatay province in September 2013.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
A Syrian refugee family of 26 people shares one room in the Eminonu district of Istanbul in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee family of 26 people shares one room in the Eminonu district of Istanbul in September 2013.
SEDAT SUNA/EPA/LANDOV
Two Syrian refugee children sit outside a house in Istanbul in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Two Syrian refugee children sit outside a house in Istanbul in September 2013.
SEDAT SUNA/EPA/LANDOV
A refugee money-changer exchanges currency at the main market at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A refugee money-changer exchanges currency at the main market at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
MUHAMMAD HAMED/reuters/LANDOv
A woman from an Alawite neighborhood in Syria holds her son in September 2013 at the Pir Sultan Abdal foundation in Istanbul.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A woman from an Alawite neighborhood in Syria holds her son in September 2013 at the Pir Sultan Abdal foundation in Istanbul.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
A Syrian refugee displays second-hand shoes for sale at the main market at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian refugee displays second-hand shoes for sale at the main market at the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq in September 2013.
Muhammad Hamed/Reuters/Landov
Syrian refugees arrive at the Pir Sultan Abdal foundation in Istanbul in September 2013.
Photos: Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees arrive at the Pir Sultan Abdal foundation in Istanbul in September 2013.
OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images
Syrian refugee workers fix cart wheels at their shop at the Zaatari refugee camp in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugee workers fix cart wheels at their shop at the Zaatari refugee camp in September 2013.
Muhammad Hamed/Reuters/Landov
A Syrian boy sits beside his family's belongings in September 2013 as they wait for a vehicle to pick them up after entering Turkey.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian boy sits beside his family's belongings in September 2013 as they wait for a vehicle to pick them up after entering Turkey.
UMIT BEKTAS /Reuters/LANDOV
Syrian refugees who failed to find shelters at a refugee camp eat and rest by the side of a road a few feet away in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees who failed to find shelters at a refugee camp eat and rest by the side of a road a few feet away in September 2013.
Umit Bektas/Reuters/Landov
Syrian refugees arrive at the Turkish border gate of Cilvegozu in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees arrive at the Turkish border gate of Cilvegozu in September 2013.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
Syrian refugees gather in the village of Salkin after crossing the Syrian-Turkish border in September 2013.
Photos: Syria's refugee crisis —
Syrian refugees gather in the village of Salkin after crossing the Syrian-Turkish border in September 2013.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
A young Syrian refugee boy sells canned tuna and other food items in the Zaatari refugee camp in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A young Syrian refugee boy sells canned tuna and other food items in the Zaatari refugee camp in September 2013.
KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images
Children run past tents at a Syrian refugee camp in Yayladagi, Turkey, in September 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
Children run past tents at a Syrian refugee camp in Yayladagi, Turkey, in September 2013.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
A child pulls a suitcase as Syrian refugees arrive at the Cilvegozu crossing gate in Turkey in August 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A child pulls a suitcase as Syrian refugees arrive at the Cilvegozu crossing gate in Turkey in August 2013.
Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images
A family arrives at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in August 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A family arrives at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in August 2013.
Jonathan S. Landay/MCT/Getty
A Syrian girl stands behind a fence at Bulgaria's shelter near Lyubimets in August 2013.
Syria's refugee crisis —
A Syrian girl stands behind a fence at Bulgaria's shelter near Lyubimets in August 2013.
DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images