The psychological effects of the prolonged Syrian conflict have been devastating, especially for vulnerable Palestine refugee children, said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The eleven-year conflict in Syria has left its mark on the entire country, but for Palestine refugees, already one of the most vulnerable groups in society before the conflict, have been amongst the worst affected. Many Palestine refugee children have lost their homes and in some cases a family member as well. Many have experienced displacement, trauma, intense fear and disruption to their normal lives.

Child labour and child marriage have substantially increased since the conflict began.

Post-traumatic stress disorders, mental psychosis, sleeplessness and nightmares, eating disorders, and intense fear have all been among the symptoms with which Palestinian children have been diagnosed.

Human rights data indicates that 252 Palestinian refugee children died of war-related incidents in Syria. Hundreds more have gone orphaned after they lost one or both of their parents in the deadly warfare.