(ANS – Damascus) – Despite the extremely difficult security situation, the Salesians of Don Bosco in Syria are continuing their work with children and young people this summer.

The Situation in the Country

The socio-political context in the country remains fragile, and especially in southern Syria, thousands of people have left their homes for fear of the clashes that have taken place in recent months. But difficulties are widespread throughout the country, with political uncertainty and the economic crisis severely affecting the daily lives of many families and their children.

Many civil servants have not received their salaries for months. At the same time, the prices of essential goods such as food, water, and fuel have risen dramatically, making them hard to afford for many people. Infrastructure is also severely compromised: the water and electricity supply is extremely unreliable, and medical care remains expensive and limited.

These are all living conditions that understandably generate enormous psychological stress for children, young people, and families, putting a strain on the social fabric. With electricity and fuel often absent, many people have no money for food, medicine, or heating fuel, and children in particular are the ones who suffer.

Salesian Commitment: Constant and Concrete

But the projects of the Salesians of Don Bosco on behalf of young people continue and are a ray of hope in the midst of continuing insecurity and violence. In Damascus, Aleppo, and Kafroun, joint activities are offered to some 2,200 young people during the holidays. With constant attention to the surrounding reality and the safety of the young beneficiaries of Salesian initiatives

After the terrible attack on the Mar Elias church in Damascus on 22 June 2025, in which more than 25 people were killed, the summer programmes in Damascus had to be suspended. Only in mid-July was it possible to resume them, with strict security measures. While in Aleppo and Kafroun, summer activities continued after a brief interruption, but still, for security reasons, large-scale group activities such as summer camps were replaced by smaller, safer activities nationwide.

‘Especially in times of great uncertainty, our centres are places of hope for children and young people. It is our task to offer them a future perspective in spite of all dangers, because every young person deserves to grow up in peace and security,’ says Fr Simon Zakerian, Superior of the Salesians in the Middle East, in a statement released by the Austrian Salesian Mission Office, ‘Don Bosco Mission Austria’.

Salesian International Support

The Mission Office, based in Vienna, has been supporting the educational and development programmes of the Salesians in Syria for many years. Salesian Brother Günter Mayer, Director General of ‘Don Bosco Mission Austria’, added in this regard: ‘In the face of a situation in Syria that remains dramatic, the commitment of our confreres and local staff is even more impressive. Education, a sense of community, and trust are key to rebuilding a peaceful society.’