Syria: Severe Weather - Dec 2025

Syria remains highly prone to natural hazards and has increasingly experienced climate-related disasters that compound the vulnerabilities of a population already enduring protracted conflict. During 2025, the country recorded one of its hottest summers on record, followed by harsh winter conditions across most regions. Heavy rainfall and snow persisted throughout January 2026, culminating in widespread flooding that severely affected populations in lowland areas across multiple governorates.

Historically, communities in northwestern Syria have faced recurrent seasonal flooding due to geographic vulnerability, deteriorating infrastructure, and the concentration of displacement sites in flood-prone zones. Years of crisis have systematically eroded community resilience, leaving populations with limited capacity to absorb additional shocks. Many affected families have endured repeated displacement and significant asset depletion, heightening their exposure to climate-induced hazards.

During the first spell of rainfall, flooding affected more than 10,000 people and caused varying levels of damage to shelters, household assets, and livelihoods. Over 650 families saw their shelters completely destroyed, while more than 1,300 families experienced partial damage. Floodwaters impacted 30 homes in Sheikh Hassan in rural Lattakia and 47 homes in Idlib Governorate. In Idlib, 22 camps were affected. At Ain Al-Bayda Hospital in Khirbet Al-Joz, western Idlib, flooding led to the evacuation of patients, healthcare workers, and incubators after the facility was submerged.

Three fatalities were reported, including two children swept away by torrents and one Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer who lost his life during emergency response operations. Several injuries also occurred in the course of response activities. Access to healthcare was severely disrupted, as damaged roads and waterlogged areas impeded mobility and restricted access to medical facilities. Parts of Ain Al-Bayda Hospital were inundated, necessitating the evacuation of patients, newborns, and medical staff.

The most severely affected populations are internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in informal camps and settlements, particularly those located in low-lying areas susceptible to water accumulation. These sites frequently lack adequate drainage systems, durable shelter materials, and flood protection infrastructure, rendering them highly vulnerable to seasonal hazards. Floodwaters inundated camps and residential structures, prompting evacuations and resulting in widespread loss of household belongings, bedding, food supplies, and winterization materials during a period of critically low temperatures. (IFRC, 18 Feb 2026)