• Amna Zughayar, 9, from Deir el-Zour.
    Amna Zughayar, 9, from Deir el-Zour.
  • Ahmad Zughayar, 6, from Deir el-Zour. "I remember the sound of bombings on homes in Deir el-Zour," says Zughayar.
    Ahmad Zughayar, 6, from Deir el-Zour. "I remember the sound of bombings on homes in Deir el-Zour," says Zughayar.
  • Aya Bandar, 6, from Hama.
    Aya Bandar, 6, from Hama.
  • Mariam Aloush, 8, from Homs. "I remember our home in Syria and my school there. I just want to go back," says Aloush.
    Mariam Aloush, 8, from Homs. "I remember our home in Syria and my school there. I just want to go back," says Aloush.
  • Mohammed Bandar, 12, from Hama. "I want to become a doctor to be able to help people," says Bandar.
    Mohammed Bandar, 12, from Hama. "I want to become a doctor to be able to help people," says Bandar.
  • Yasmeen Mohammed, 11, from Eastern Ghouta. “All I want is to go back to my school in Syria and see my friends,” she said.
    Yasmeen Mohammed, 11, from Eastern Ghouta. “All I want is to go back to my school in Syria and see my friends,” she said.
  • Zahra al-Jassim, 10, from Hama. "I dream of going back to Syria to see my friends Raghd, Halima, and Najwa," says al-Jassim.
    Zahra al-Jassim, 10, from Hama. "I dream of going back to Syria to see my friends Raghd, Halima, and Najwa," says al-Jassim.
  • Hammad Khadir, 3, from Hassakeh.
    Hammad Khadir, 3, from Hassakeh.
  • Hiba So'od, 6, from Hassakeh. "I want to become a teacher," says So'od.
    Hiba So'od, 6, from Hassakeh. "I want to become a teacher," says So'od.
  • Mayada Hammid, 8, from Hassakeh. "I remember nothing from Syria," says Hammid.
    Mayada Hammid, 8, from Hassakeh. "I remember nothing from Syria," says Hammid.
  • Rakan Raslan, 11, from Hama, Syria. “I used to go to the school back in Hama, ” Raslan said. “I used to have friends there. Our home was destroyed in the war and we had to flee to Jordan.” Rakan said that without an education, his future is in doubt. “The best I can become is a driver,” he said.
    Rakan Raslan, 11, from Hama, Syria. “I used to go to the school back in Hama, ” Raslan said. “I used to have friends there. Our home was destroyed in the war and we had to flee to Jordan.” Rakan said that without an education, his future is in doubt. “The best I can become is a driver,” he said.
  • Hanan Khalid, 7, from Hassakeh.
    Hanan Khalid, 7, from Hassakeh.
  • Mona Emad, 5, from Hassakeh. "I want to go back to Syria but my father told us that he wants to go to The United States of America," says Mona.
    Mona Emad, 5, from Hassakeh. "I want to go back to Syria but my father told us that he wants to go to The United States of America," says Mona.

James O’Hara

March 16, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

Syria’s civil war is the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. Half the country’s pre-war population - more than 11 million people - have been killed or forced to flee their homes.

Families are struggling to survive inside Syria, or make a new homes in neighboring countries.

Others risk their lives traveling to Europe, in hope of finding acceptance and opportunity for themselves and their loved ones. For those who are unable to afford the cost of attempting to flee the country many are forced to settle in make shift border camps.

In Jordan alone, more than 600,000 have arrived since the start of the conflict in 2011. And the onset of harsh winter weather makes life as a refugee even more difficult. At times, the effects of the conflict can seem overwhelming.

AP photographer Muhammed Muheisen took some time to photograph and speak with young displaced Syrian children about their thoughts for the future at an informal tented settlement near the Syrian border on the outskirts of Mafraq, Jordan.

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