An Evaluation of the Injaz Psychosocial Support Program in Syria .

This report evaluates the effectiveness of the psychosocial support activities delivered by the Injaz education program in Syria. It uses project data to make recommendations for other implementors and funders working in similar contexts.

Growing up in Islamic State-held territories, young Syrians have lived through traumatic experiences. Subsequently, many children have become desensitized to violence and developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result, conflict-affected children urgently need mental health support.

Chemonics’ Injaz program is primarily an education project. It works with children in both formal and informal settings, including in camps for internally displaced persons. Injaz provides technical and financial support to teachers, applying innovative approaches to educating children in challenging contexts.

Since 2018, Injaz and its local partners have delivered psychosocial support to children and families living in northeast Syria. Injaz uses sports, music, dancing, theatre, drawing, and storytelling, among other activities, to help children improve their psychosocial wellbeing. The evaluation provides insight into how the program might be influencing children’s psychosocial wellbeing. The survey used three established and validated wellbeing measurement tools for children to look at their self-esteem, anxiety, and hope for the future.