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Syria

Rapid Needs Assessment Report: Aleppo City, Syria, December 2024

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Aleppo City is grappling with unprecedented humanitarian challenges due to thirteen years of relentless conflict, which have severely impacted infrastructure, livelihoods, and essential services to affected populations. The situation worsened following the regime's fall on December 1, 2024, resulting from the opposition's “Deterrence of Aggression” operation launched on November 27, 2024. To identify critical needs and intervention priorities, a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) was conducted across Aleppo City neighborhoods. The assessment included 202 household interviews and consultations with 17 diverse key informants (KIl).

The findings highlighted the urgent need for immediate, multisectoral interventions to address the deteriorating conditions and support the city’s recovery efforts.

  • Food Security and Nutrition: Severe food shortages were reported by 88% of respondents, with 49% of males and 39% of females headed households affected. The primary need identified was food assistance for their households. Additionally, 96% of respondents indicated that their main source of food was purchasing from markets, with 51% of male-headed and 45% of female-headed households relying on this method. 63% of respondents highlighted cash support is needed to purchase food items from markets.
  • Winterization: Due to harsh weather conditions and damaged shelters during the conflict, 54% of surveyed individuals reported a need for winterization support, including high-thermal blankets, plastic sheets, and other essential winter items.
  • Access to basic services: Access to electricity and fuel for power generation was reported by 49% of respondents as a critical need. Additionally, 21% cited a need for access to clean drinking water, while 13% highlighted the need for water for cleaning and bathing purposes.
    Notably, 91% of respondents reported no presence of I/NGO activities in their area.
  • Safety and Security: The primary concerns reported by respondents included theft 45%, revenge 11%, and unexploded ordnance 10%. Notably, many people remained fearful of returning to, or living in, destroyed communities due to ongoing instability and insufficient resources after the regime's fall.
  • Shelter and NFI: Among surveyed households, 19% identified non-food items (NFls), 7% requested hygiene supplies, and 2% expressed a need for urgent shelter rehabilitation.
    Regarding living arrangements, 42% of households are settled in rented accommodation, 36% reside in their own homes, 12% are hosted by others, and 9% live in unfinished buildings. The primary challenges related to shelter conditions include a lack of lighting 34%, insufficient heating 32%, and structural instability 29%