In war-torn Syria, children with disabilities are one of the most excluded groups. Livelihoods have been devastated by the conflict and families struggle to make ends meet, which can be even more challenging when caring for a child with a disability.

An estimated 85 per cent of the population now lives in poverty, with 69 per cent in extreme poverty – living on less than US$2 per day.

To help children like Bashar realize their dreams, UNICEF provides cash assistance to some of the most vulnerable families. The funding comes from the German Government and other donors, and is part of a larger social protection programme.

The aim is to alleviate the impact of poverty on families, and to support their role in child care and improve their access to basic services. It is an innovative social protection scheme targeting children with disabilities, reducing their exposure to risks, and helping their families develop positive ways of coping.

According to recent research by the Overseas Development Institute, direct cash grants to households can help to protect poor families and make humanitarian response faster and more flexible.

Read the full article on cash assistance for Syrian children by Monica Awad and Basma Ourfali at UNICEF