Families in Syria continue to face the devastating consequences of more than a decade of conflict. In areas like Rural Damascus, a fragile healthcare infrastructure, ongoing economic hardships and social stigma surrounding developmental disorders have made it difficult for children with special needs to access care. Many families struggle to meet their children’s basic needs, let alone afford quality specialized care.
With support from the European Union, International Medical Corps provides vital protection services in some of the most severely affected areas, including Rural Damascus. These services range from community awareness initiatives to focused, individualized support, including case management, Early Child Development program, inclusion, and recreational and educational acitivities, helping those affected rebuild their lives and regain stability in an uncertain environment.
Qamar is a 4-year-old girl living in Moadamiyet al-Sham, Rural Damascus, with her parents and younger brother. Her parents struggle with securing basic necessities such as food, clothing and healthcare for their children.
Earlier this year, Qamar’s mother brought her to International Medical Corps’ primary healthcare center (PHCC) in Moadamiyet al-Sham in Rural Damascus. They consulted with a pediatrician as Qamar’s mother was concerned about her daughter’s lack of communication, unresponsiveness and other behavioral issues, including screaming and aggression toward her younger brother. “I used to feel embarrassed by Qamar’s behavior,” her mother told the pediatrician. “I avoided taking her outside.”
The pediatrician diagnosed Qamar with mild intellectual disability and referred her to our inclusion and rehabilitation program at the PHCC. A Child Protection (CP) Officer conducted detailed assessments to evaluate Qamar’s social, linguistic, educational and self-care needs while identifying her strengths, such as strong eye contact and precision in completing tasks. The CP Officer also assessed her mother, who admitted to keeping her isolated at home.
We enrolled Qamar in a structured group program on early childhood development—comprising 30 sessions—to develop her social, cognitive and behavioral skills. Simultaneously, her mother participated in seven caregiver-skills training sessions to better support Qamar at home and in the community.
By the 10th session, Qamar began to show noticeable improvement in managing aggressive behavior and reducing screaming. By the end of the program, she could count in the correct sequence, use a pencil to draw basic shapes, dress herself and use the toilet independently. Most importantly, she could follow basic social rules and routines. “This case reminded us why inclusion matters; with the right support, every child can thrive,” says the CP Officer who worked with Qamar and her mother. “This program helped her improve so much. I also learned how to support my younger son better,” the mother says.
The CP intervention not only improved Qamar’s developmental and social skills but also helped her mother gain confidence in supporting her children and fostering resilience at the family level.
Like the moon she is named after, Qamar has emerged from the shadows to learn, grow and rise. Her story shows what is possible when no child is left behind.
