Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since the crisis began, Syria has been ravaged by multiple conflicts, exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis and multiple regional and global shocks, contributing to Syria’s ongoing instability and economic deterioration. A political solution remains unlikely, with no inclusive peace agreement, and sanctions preventing investments and reconstruction efforts. Traditional donors continue to limit the scope of engagement with state authorities and the type of aid that they will provide. The lack of engagement of development actors means that aid cannot transition across the nexus effectively.
This is compounded by the lack of civic space and independent civil society, and the lack of accountable or resourced government institutions to meet the needs of the population.
The Syria Community Consortium (SCC) undertook this needs assessment to deliver an in-depth analysis of the needs in As-Sukkari,
Bustan Al-Qaser, and Kallaseh neighbourhoods in Aleppo City, and Duma and Nashabiyeh sub-districts in Duma district, Rural Damascus, in order to highlight the complexities of the local context and the multi-faceted nature of community resilience in Syria.
Food Security
Limited economic resources and a lack of income have resulted in high levels of food insecurity, with 90% of households facing challenges in accessing sufficient food according to household surveys. The type, quantity, quality, and frequency of food consumption among households have deteriorated, leading to widespread malnutrition. Coping strategies include selling personal belongings, reducing food intake, and relying on aid, with women and children often engaging in labor to support their families. Loss of agricultural tools and assets due to conflict and economic hardship hampers productive asset management.
Economic Wellbeing
The primary challenges that are preventing households from earning an adequate income include low paid jobs, which are insufficient to cover basic needs, and an overall lack of employment opportunities. Job opportunities are extremely scarce, especially for youth and women, with most available jobs being low-paying and unskilled. Across locations, 51% of respondents cited daily labor as their primary source of household income, highlighting a significant gap in formal employment opportunities. Limited access to markets due to security concerns and high transportation costs, along with scarce financial services, further complicates economic recovery. Social protection mechanisms are insufficient, with community support networks overstretched and under-resourced. In addition, 7% of households reported the inability of a family member to work due to disability. High living costs and low incomes push households into debt, with 87% of households reporting debt primarily to cover essential household expenses, particularly food, health care, and hygiene items respectively.
Shelter & Settlements
Housing conditions are dire, with many homes partially damaged or completely destroyed as a result of the conflict and natural disasters, particularly the February 2023 earthquake which caused, or exacerbated, extensive damage to housing infrastructure. 63.5% of surveyed households currently reside in damaged shelters.
Overwhelmingly, financial constraints are the primary barrier preventing families from rehabilitating their shelters, with 87% of households reporting that lack of financial resources is the main challenge in rehabilitating their home. The scarcity of construction materials and skilled labor, along with complex regulations and policies, further hinder rebuilding efforts. Due to minimal support from NGOs, United Nation (UN) agencies, and GoS, most reconstruction work has had to be self-funded. Intermittent and unreliable electricity supply, coupled with insufficient heating sources during winter, severely affect living conditions.
The significant destruction of housing, land, and property creates substantial barriers for families attempting to return and integrate. 80% of the respondents indicated that displaced families are coming back, but barriers such as damaged homes, lack of services, and security concerns remain prevalent. The existing legal and policy framework is insufficient to address the extensive needs, with actors providing legal support lacking the capacity to provide services at the scale needed. Groups and individuals disproportionately impacted by conflict and natural disaster, including widows, female-headed households, and people with disabilities, face additional challenges in accessing and securing their homes and land.
WASH
Access to clean water is limited, with 66% of households facing challenges with water quality.
Inadequate water storage and treatment facilities lead to reliance on unsafe water sources. Poor sanitation infrastructure, frequent blockages, and overflows pose health hazards.
Waste management systems are inadequate, resulting in high risks of waterborne diseases, with 25% of households reporting incidences of diarrheal diseases. Public facilities, including schools and health centers, have inadequate WASH facilities, contributing to health issues.
Limited access to hygiene products due to high costs and neglected basic hygiene practices further exacerbate the situation. High prevalence of diarrheal diseases and insufficient access to Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) compound health risks. Additionally, inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities affects women's health and school attendance.
Education
The education sector faces substantial barriers, including the destruction of school infrastructure, lack of qualified teachers, and financial constraints preventing children from attending school. High dropout rates are prevalent, particularly among girls, due to economic pressures and early marriages.
Household surveys reveal that 35% of school-aged children are not attending school. While efforts to rehabilitate schools have been made, they are insufficient to accommodate the needs of the growing student population.
Health & MHPSS
Health services are limited, with most facilities lacking essential equipment and staff. A significant shortage of well-trained medical personnel has emerged as a major barrier, hindering the ability to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the population. This deficiency compromises the timely and effective treatment of patients, negatively impacting the overall quality of care. Additionally, frequent power outages in public health facilities create substantial obstacles, disrupting essential services such as surgeries, diagnostic procedures, and the functioning of vital medical equipment. These interruptions not only reduce the efficiency of healthcare delivery but also jeopardize patient safety and outcomes.
Moreover, the inadequacy of medical equipment and supplies exacerbates the challenges faced by healthcare providers. The lack of access to essential tools hampers the ability of medical staff to deliver the necessary standard of care, resulting in treatment delays, suboptimal management of medical conditions, and a reduction in the overall quality of care provided.
Sanitation issues, such as poor hygiene practices and inadequate medical waste disposal, further complicate the health situation in crisis-affected areas, contributing to a rise in water-borne diseases.
Access to healthcare is an additional significant challenge, especially for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Financial constraints, long distances to facilities, and inadequate infrastructure further impede access to healthcare services. Household surveys indicate that 40% of the population has limited access to healthcare, with maternal and child health services being particularly inadequate.
The prolonged conflict in Syria has profoundly impacted the mental health and psychosocial well-being of communities, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and IDPs. Data indicate alarmingly high rates of emotional distress, including feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, yet access to professional mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services remains critically limited. The availability of specialized MHPSS services is particularly scarce in underserved regions, where health facilities often lack the resources and capacity to identify and treat a wide range of mental health disorders effectively.
A significant barrier to accessing care is the widespread lack of awareness about existing services, with many individuals unaware of where or how to seek support. Additional obstacles include the unavailability of services, insufficient knowledge about service locations, financial constraints, transportation challenges, and persistent stigma surrounding mental health care.
Protection
Communities face numerous protection risks, including high levels of child labor, early marriages and gender-based violence, exacerbated by economic instability and lack of security. Groups and individuals disproportionately impacted by conflict and natural disaster, such as women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities, face significant protection risks. There is a general lack of security, with frequent thefts and violence, and the presence of unexploded ordnance posing additional risks. Unsafe living conditions are prevalent, particularly at night and in isolated areas.
Access to protection services is hindered by financial constraints, lack of documentation, and social stigma. High incidence of gender-based violence and child protection issues, including abuse and exploitation, further compound the challenges. Legal awareness and resources to pursue justice are lacking, resulting in many cases of violence and exploitation going unreported. Coping strategies rely heavily on informal community support, which is often inadequate. Community-led welfare and protection initiatives exist but require more support to meet these vast needs.
The presence of unexploded ordnance poses significant risks, particularly in agricultural areas and among children and scrap collectors. Both private and public lands are contaminated, affecting returning to the area of origin and resuming agricultural activities.
Community Environment & Social Cohesion
The social fabric is diverse, with varying customs and traditions. Integration of displaced populations remains a challenge, and economic hardship and resource competition are major stressors. Community events and shared experiences serve as connectors, fostering social cohesion. Limited but active community governance structures exist, although more inclusive and representative bodies are needed.
Marginalized groups often lack representation in decision-making processes.
Various community-based structures exist but are under-resourced and need strengthening.
Community engagement is encouraged, but participation is often hindered by economic and social barriers. There is high interest in participating in community structures, but limited opportunities and support hinder effective participation. Economic constraints, lack of awareness, and social stigmas are significant barriers to participation.