Syrian refugee aged 14 will marry landlord to pay her family’s rent

The family of a 14-year-old Syrian refugee have told how she has agreed to marry a 44-year-old landlord in Lebanon because they cannot  afford the rent.

The TV network Al Jazeera reported that the owner of the house demanded Hanifa become his second wife.

Hanifa Amar told them: “I am crying because of the situation we are in. But I have to do it so that my family can survive.”

Her mother Mysa Amar said: “No mother wants to hurt her child but we have no choice.”

The Al Jazeera video can be viewed here. It is not available in all countries.

More than 400,000 Syrian children are now living in Lebanon. They face becoming a lost generation unless they can go back to school.

The Education without Borders initiative makes it easy for you to get involved and help to give Syrian refugee children a chance to go to school and learn. We are here to help you make a difference.

Picture: Al Jazeera.