Over the past 14 years, civilians have borne the brunt of the conflict in Syria, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties and the displacement of millions both within the country and abroad. During the war, critical infrastructure, including hospitals, power plants, and major access routes, was attacked, severely hampering humanitarian efforts. Today, aid needs are at an all-time high.
As the political and security situation evolves, Doctors of the World is adjusting its activities to respond more effectively to the massive population displacements in Syria and along its borders. Since November 27, 2024, between 800,000 and one million people have been displaced across the country, including 345,375 in the Idlib governorate alone. As a key medical organization, Doctors of the World has witnessed the collapse of the Syrian health system since the conflict began in 2011. With access to new areas, our teams aim to provide much-needed support and strengthen local health infrastructure.
Doctors of the World is also active in northeastern Syria, where recent events have heightened security challenges for both the population and aid workers. Health services are overstretched, with most facilities dependent on NGOs. The arrival of more than 20,000 refugees from Lebanon and 100,000 displaced individuals from northwestern Syria has further strained an already fragile health system. Security issues and severe funding gaps are limiting the expansion of aid, making additional resources urgently needed to scale up the response to the crisis.
OUR QUICK RESPONSE
We are launching an emergency response from northwest Syria toward Damascus, rapidly deploying teams and distributing medical supplies in the regions most affected by hostilities between November 27 and December 8, 2024.
Our priority is to provide essential medical care in Aleppo, followed by Hama, Homs, and Damascus. We are working in close coordination with local health authorities and international partners to ensure the effective delivery of medical supplies, including medicines and health products.
“Our teams are also assessing the broader medical needs of the population to ensure an appropriate response to the changing situation. We are committed to providing life-saving services and will adjust our operations based on ongoing assessments and security developments, ”-Hakan Bilgin, President of Doctors of the World Türkiye.
DOCTORS OF THE WORLD CALLS FOR RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
We urge all parties to respect the human rights of the Syrian population and facilitate humanitarian assistance for the 16.7 million people in need. While the situation in Syria is deeply interconnected with regional issues, we call on all regional powers to end hostilities and protect communities that have endured years of intense conflict. Civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, must never be targeted but instead safeguarded as essential for protecting civilians and delivering humanitarian aid.
As current conditions in Syria remain inadequate to ensure the safe return of displaced individuals abroad, we urge states to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, maintain asylum procedures for Syrian nationals, and refrain from forcibly returning individuals to Syria, respecting their right to determine their future.
Call to Donors
We call on donors to prioritize support for:
- Vital services and primary health care across Syria
- Strengthening medical supply chains to address shortages of essential medicines and surgical kits, which are limiting access to care for thousands of people
- Access to mental health and psychosocial support for adults and children, with existing services covering only a fraction of the growing needs