Seven years of conflict in Syria have exacted an enormous human toll and led to widespread physical destruction. The psychological impact of the war, although less visible, has been just as devastating. The levels of trauma and distress impacting Syrian civilians, especially children have been staggering with nearly 500,000 killed, half the population displaced and more than 13 million Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance. The traumatic impact of the Syrian conflict is less often acknowledged, but could significantly impair the ability of Syrian civilians to recover and build a more peaceful future.  Join USIP and specialists from the Syrian American Medical Society, the U.S. State Department and Save the Children for a panel discussion, addressing an aspect of the Syrian conflict that often receives less attention than it deserves.

Speakers:

Nancy Lindborg, opening remarksPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace,

Mona Yacoubian, moderatorSenior Advisor, Syria, the Middle East and North Africa, USIP

Catherine Bou-MarounForeign Affairs Officer, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Dr. Mohamed Khaled HamzaMental Health Committee, Chair; & Foundation Board Member, Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Professor of Clinical Mental Health, Lamar University-Texas State System

Amy RichmondDirector, Child Protection in Emergencies, Save the Children