ReliefWeb

Fifteen-year-old Malek is one of many young Syrians in Lebanon lacking a residency permit. Without identity papers, youth can’t move freely and risk being deprived of their education.

It’s a warm sunny day when we approach Syrian couple Mona and Yaser’s home in North Lebanon. As we walk up the cracked staircase leading to their home, we are greeted by one of their sons, Malek.

Malek is a shy boy. As he is bullied by children in his neighbourhood, he never goes outside. This is increasingly becoming a common issue among Syrian children in Lebanon.

“My mum doesn’t allow me to defend myself when the other children are mean. She is afraid that I get into trouble and wants me to avoid them,” says Malek. He misses Syria, where he had many friends and relatives.

Syrians risk their lives for identity papers

Young Syrian boys like Malek face many challenges in Lebanon. Children turning fifteen need to obtain legal residency by providing formal identification documents issued by the Syrian government. This documentation is impossible to obtain without entering Syria, and some family members often embark on a dangerous journey, risking their lives to obtain identity documents. The alternative is to live in Lebanon in fear.