Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
The devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on 6 February 2023 had severe consequences for an already vulnerable population. Prior to the seismic events, over 15 million people across Syria were in need of humanitarian assistance, an outcome of more than a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and infrastructure degradation.
The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction in Aleppo, Latakia, Tartous, Hama, and Idlib governorates, severely damaging homes, public infrastructure, and essential services in both urban and rural areas. According to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), 5,670 lives were lost, 11,774 individuals were injured, and over 8 million people were directly affected.
From the earliest moments of the disaster, SARC deployed over 4,000 staff and volunteers in a massive humanitarian operation. By 28 February 2025, with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Movement partners, SARC had provided wide-ranging, life-saving assistance across the affected regions.
In response to the earthquake, the IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal of CHF 200 million, aiming to reach 2.5 million people. This Federation-Wide appeal was developed in consultation with SARC and contributing National Societies, aligning sectoral strengths, operational priorities, and coordination roles under a unified strategy.
In December 2024, Syria faced a new wave of political transformative events that further deepened the humanitarian crisis. In response, the IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal of CHF 130 million on 20 December 2024, targeting 5 million people with critical support. The appeal focuses on food, shelter, health care, psychosocial assistance, cash support, and services for families searching for missing loved ones.
The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria has increased from 15.3 million in 2023 to 16.72 million in 2024—the highest figure recorded since the onset of the crisis in 2011. This sharp rise demonstrates the deepening humanitarian emergency and the growing vulnerabilities across all sectors.
Between 2023 and 2024, wildfires swept across Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Tartous, destroying homes, crops, forests, and natural reserves. In response to a request from SARC, the IFRC allocated DREF fundings to support emergency response and environmental rehabilitation.
At the same time, a water crisis intensified in As-Sweida, driven by reduced precipitation and deteriorating infrastructure. Approximately 80% of wells became non-operational due to a lack of maintenance and spare parts. The IFRC allocated additional DREF funding for urgent water system repairs to restore access to safe water for affected communities.
Meanwhile, the escalation of conflict in Gaza in October 2023 raised tensions across the region. Although spillover into Syria has remained limited, intermittent targeted strikes in southern and central Syria have disrupted recovery efforts and heightened humanitarian needs. In anticipation of broader regional impacts, the IFRC launched a Regional Emergency Appeal to strengthen the readiness and response capacities of National Societies in Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.
More recently, regional conflicts have further impacted Syria’s fragile humanitarian situation. Hostilities in Lebanon since September 2024 have displaced approximately 562,000 people into Syria—63 per cent Syrians and 37 per cent Lebanese or other nationals. Following a ceasefire, nearly 3,000 Lebanese refugees crossed back into Lebanon3. This influx has significantly strained essential services and available resources.
Simultaneously, Syria’s economic crisis has worsened, characterized by soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and the surging cost of goods and services. Since 15 December 2024, a severe liquidity shortage has disrupted humanitarian programmes, resulting in suspended operations and delayed service delivery. Financial institutions and local suppliers have struggled to function due to a scarcity of Syrian pounds, further deepening the crisis.
Currently, 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line. Rising costs have pushed families to reduce spending on basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education. The cost of living—as measured by the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB)—rose by 21 per cent in one year and has more than tripled over two years. The minimum wage now covers only 16 per cent of the food component of the MEB, illustrating the deteriorating ability of households to meet their needs and the increasing dependency on humanitarian aid.
This prolonged economic downturn has also forced many families to rely on subsistence farming and animal grazing, often on lands known to be contaminated with explosive ordnance (EO), thereby increasing their exposure to injury or death.
Despite the grim outlook, SARC’s dedicated personnel, supported by IFRC and Movement partners, remain a lifeline for communities across Syria, delivering food, water, health services, psychosocial support, and essential relief to those in need since the earthquakes' first moments.