Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
Syria is experiencing one of the world’s most severe and complex humanitarian emergencies, shaped by a convergence of protracted conflict, economic collapse, political transition, and climate-related disasters. The recent shift in governing authority has triggered significant population movements, including the return of refugees from neighboring countries such as Türkiye, Jordan, and Lebanon, while millions remain internally displaced or consider onward movement due to continued instability and insecurity. As of early 2025, an estimated 17 million people across Syria require humanitarian assistance, including 7.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 6.2 million refugees in neighboring countries.
The crisis is particularly acute in northwest and northern Syria, where the compounded impacts of conflict, the February 2023 earthquake, and recurring climate shocks have devastated infrastructure and basic services. Over 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, with 12.9 million people facing food insecurity, and malnutrition rates, especially among children, continuing to rise (WFP, 2025; UNICEF, 2025). The health system is severely compromised: more than one-third of hospitals are partially or fully non-operational, and access to maternal, neonatal, and chronic disease care is extremely limited (WHO, 2025). Recurring droughts and recent flooding have reduced agricultural output, destroyed homes and crops, and contributed to new waves of displacement and food insecurity.
Widespread damage to roads, bridges, schools, water stations, and health facilities has left millions with limited or no access to essential goods and services. Water supply is critically low in cities like Aleppo and rural areas, while skyrocketing prices and unemployment have forced families into negative coping strategies such as reducing food consumption and withdrawing children from school (OCHA, 2025; WFP, 2025). Humanitarian access remains severely restricted due to ongoing violence, bureaucratic barriers, and the threat of explosive ordnance contamination, with some areas temporarily cut off from aid.
Vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, face heightened risks of exclusion, exploitation, and deteriorating health. Mental health needs are soaring, with widespread trauma and limited access to psychosocial support. The evolving political landscape, new government policies, and regional developments, including changes in asylum policies in Europe and neighboring countries, are influencing patterns of return and onward movement. The overlapping crises have left millions in extreme vulnerability, pushing the limits of humanitarian capacity and increasing the urgency for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response.