March 2017 marks the sixth year of the Syria Crisis. Six years that have devastated a nation, its people and its children. The quest for safety has forced over half of all Syrians from their homes since 2011. More than 6 million are internally displaced and over 4.9 million registered as refugees in neighbouring countries. Nearly 1.2 million Syrians have applied for asylum in Europe.

Between November 2015 and January 2017, more than 40,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada. In October 2016, the Canadian Red Cross teamed up with the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation to give a group of Syrian refugee youth what many would consider a quintessentially Canadian experience: a sleepover camp.

Ninety Syrian teens and 10 interpreters travelled from across Atlantic Canada to the Tim Horton Children's Camp in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. The plan was to provide Syrian refugee youth a chance to connect with other youth throughout the Maritimes while participating in team-building activities that would help them gain confidence and provide emotional healing.

On the shores of Northumberland Strait, these Syrian newcomers learned a lot about Canada and a lot about themselves. These are some of their stories.

It was a particularly special moment for Ghassan, who was asked to deliver the first welcome speech. As a young boy, Ghassan had come to Canada with his family from Lebanon - leaving on the last flight out of Beirut before the airport was bombarded.

As he greeted the Syrian families, Ghassan saw a boy the same age as he was when he arrived in Canada. Taking a few extra moments, Ghassan gave him some words of comfort.

“There was a young boy, probably around 10 years old, he was looking around everywhere,” Ghassan said. “I told him that it would be difficult in the beginning. But I said not to worry, it would get easier with time, and that everything would be okay.”

That weekend, Red Cross volunteers and employees were on hand at the Welcome Centre in Montréal to help 161 men, women and children as they received warm clothes, food, and hygiene items just prior to meeting with their sponsors. For some, it was an emotional reunion, as they embraced loved ones that have not been seen in many years.

Exhaustion and tears were turned into smiles full of relief and hope.

During the past 60 years the main victims of war have been civilians. The protection of civilians during armed conflict is therefore a cornerstone of international humanitarian law (IHL). This protection extends to their public and private property. IHL also identifies and protects particularly vulnerable civilian groups such as women, children and the displaced.

The protection of civilians extends to those trying to help them, in particular medical units and humanitarian or relief bodies providing essentials such as food, clothing and medical supplies. The warring parties are required to allow access to such organizations. The Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I specifically require belligerents to facilitate the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The funeral of Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer first-aid worker Mohammad Khadraa, killed in Douma while working in a clearly marked SARC vehicle in April. Showing incredible bravery, SARC volunteers and staff have been on the front line, recovering wounded, performing on-the-spot first aid, handing out food and medicines to people in desperate need.

Sign up to receive communications from the Red Cross that will keep you up to date with our work.

Canadian Red Cross Tim Hortons Camp Videos: Produced by A for Adventure

Photos: Canadian Red Cross, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IRCC, CBSA

The Canadian Red Cross would like to thank generous individuals, governments and corporate and community partners for their financial support of our continued work within Syria and with those affected by the Syria Crisis.