The Tragic Fate of Syria's Missing Children: Exploitation and Disappearance

Tue Sep 30 2025 06:52:36 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Investigative reports reveal how a global charity allegedly facilitated the disappearance of thousands of children in Syria under the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad.

A deep dive into the systemic exploitation of children in Syria reveals the troubling involvement of international charity SOS Children's Villages. The organization, instead of re-homing children of detained parents, has been implicated in altering identities and keeping children in orphanages, further complicating their families' attempts to trace them. Families of missing children continue to search for answers amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and bureaucratic indifference.

The Tragic Fate of Syria's Missing Children: Exploitation and Disappearance

In the aftermath of Syria’s civil war, thousands of children remain unaccounted for, facing a future obscured by state exploitation and international apathy. Families search desperately for their missing loved ones, unsure of their fate as many were reportedly taken in by the charity SOS Children's Villages, a global organization funded by donations from governments and private individuals.

The heartbreaking journey of parents, like Reem al-Kari, illustrates the grim reality of a system that has all but “disappeared” their children, forcing them into bleak orphanages instead of reuniting them with relatives. The charity under scrutiny is accused of supporting the regime’s political agenda by enabling the forced separation of children from their families.

Investigations conducted by the BBC and investigative media partners have brought these practices to light. They unveil extensive documentation linking the charity to the regime's efforts to manipulate the fates of these children, some of whom had their identities altered or were falsely recorded as orphans.

Former employees of SOS Children's Villages reveal that the charity's operations were heavily influenced by the Assad regime, often ignoring warnings about the unethical treatment of children. Families continue to grapple with bureaucratic hurdles as they seek information, only to be met with indifference and obstructive policies.

As the trauma of separation endures, many parents are still left to hope against hope. The urgent need for accountability and a transparent investigation into these conflicts remains paramount to ensure justice for the affected families.