Acquaintances in Syria

Acquaintances in Syria usually develop through existing social networks rather than a formal service. Family members, friends, neighbours and community leaders may introduce people, while schools, workplaces, markets, public transport, cafés, restaurants, public squares, religious sites and sports venues create opportunities for contact. These settings do not provide the same level of safety: crowded places, markets, public transport, religious sites, schools and universities can also face attack, harassment or kidnapping risks. Some governments currently advise against travel to Syria because security conditions remain severe and uneven. Structured contact is available through some UNHCR Community Centres, UNICEF child-, adolescent- and youth-friendly spaces, UNFPA Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces (WGSS), social and recreational activities, mental health and psychosocial support, and mobile teams. These services can connect people through education, job skills, health, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and social activities. UNHCR services are free, and UNICEF’s listed services are free, but locations, opening hours and funding change. UNICEF reported 44 youth-friendly spaces nationwide for January 2025 to January 2026, while some UNHCR centres had closed because of funding changes; verify the current listing before travelling. The UNICEF helpline is +963952535262 and operates Sunday to Thursday from 09:00 to 19:00. Women and girls may face stricter limits on movement and participation, and safety concerns have been reported on market, transport, community-centre, work and school paths. Displacement, returnee status, minority status and disability can further affect access. Cultural and religious expectations differ between communities, so ask before taking photographs, sharing contact details or initiating physical contact. Avoid unsolicited political or security discussions, and do not assume that a private meeting, cross-gender contact or cross-sect contact will be accepted in every setting. Digital contact through phones, the internet, social platforms and youth digital activities can supplement personal introductions, but no verified national acquaintance directory or app was identified. Romance and internet scams are reported, and dating applications may expose users to robbery or assault. For a first meeting, choose daytime and a known public setting, tell a trusted person, arrange an independent way home and verify the other person through a trusted channel. Do not send money, bank details, identity documents, passport data, address details, live location, one-time passwords or intimate images. Do not meet at checkpoints, security sites or political events. End, block and report contact involving pressure, secrecy, threats or money requests. Adults should not arrange secret private contact with unknown minors; minors should use supervised, age-appropriate settings. Women and girls facing threats or gender-based violence can seek a WGSS or an appropriate protection referral.