Syria crisis: A critical situation
More than 2 months after the change of government in Syria, the humanitarian situation remains critical with widespread displacement, heavily damaged infrastructure and nearly 15 million people in need of humanitarian support.
Displaced Syrians are now starting to return to their homes, although many camps across the country remain overcrowded. Cases of respiratory infections and diseases have risen significantly since early December 2024, exacerbated by the harsh Syrian winter.
Congested camps with inadequate heating and insulation are particularly vulnerable, resulting in increased hospital visits and heightened public health concerns.
Across Syria’s borders, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are reporting that more than 125,000 Syrians returned home within 8 weeks after the fall of the government on 8 December. This includes over 52,000 from Türkiye, 5,000 from Jordan and 2,000 from Iraq.
Unexploded ordnance poses a significant problem for those returning to their homes, with reports of at least 25 people being killed by unaddressed explosive ordnance (UXO) in the governate of Aleppo. A further 75 people have been injured.
An economy in ruins
The impact of almost 14 years of conflict has left the Syrian economy in ruins. People are struggling to access food items due to widespread cash shortages.
Rising fuel costs also continue to impact mobility across the country, reducing access for people who require transportation to safe spaces or health facilities, and university students who need to move daily between Damascus and southern governorates.
Water supply to cities like Aleppo remains a problem.
Areas in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor, including Bakara, Dahla, Shnan and Darnaj, have also reported facing severe water shortages as many water stations were damaged during the conflict.
Islamic Relief is responding
Islamic Relief has supported people in Syria throughout the crisis and we will continue to support as the country undergoes intense change.
We have been delivering food to 9,5000 households, while also distributing flour to bakeries to Aleppo and Homs to enable the production of bread, a staple food of Syrian communities. We have also delivered heating materials to 4,700 households and delivered medicine and medical equipment to cardiac and dialysis centres.
As more areas of Syria are now accessible, we are now working with fellow humanitarian actors and important stakeholders in Syria to upscale our operations and assist in the rebuild of the country.
Future projects will focus on improving temporary shelters for internally displaced people, assisting returnees relocating back to their hometowns and diverting health projects to support newly accessible hospitals and health facilities in the major cities of Syria including Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Damascus.