Reem al-Kari and her cousin Lama are sifting through numerous photos in a desperate search for Reem's missing son, Karim, who disappeared during Syria's civil war in 2013. As one of over 3,700 children unaccounted for, Karim's fate is emblematic of a broader tragedy facing families caught in the ramifications of the Assad regime's actions.
Recent investigations have brought to light SOS Children's Villages International's involvement in the care of children during a period marked by immense political turmoil. Sources reveal that many children, instead of being reunited with their families, were held in orphanages and misclassified as orphans. With the regime's recent collapse providing newfound access to information, a collaborative investigation has confirmed the existence of a database housing details of 323 children separated from their families.
The inquiry highlights serious allegations against SOS, notably that most appointments within their Syrian operations were made directly under the influence of the Assad family. Whistleblowers report that Asma al-Assad released instructions that influenced how children were handled, effectively using them as political leverage.
While SOS maintains that they operate independently and deny connections to the regime, the revelations have drawn scrutiny. Internal documents indicate that during the years of the civil war, the charity accepted children without proper documentation and returned many to government authorities without fully understanding their circumstances.
Reem is among many parents grappling with the pain of uncertainty as they sift through fragmented records and filled orphanages, hoping to discover the fate of their children. Reports suggest that SOS had previously facilitated the admission of clandestine children while prioritizing funding retention over the integrity of their operations.
The broader implications of these findings paint a troubling picture of child welfare in humanitarian crises, where funding and politics may compromise the safety and dignity of vulnerable populations.
