Attachments
Description of the Event
Crisis Category Supporting Document
Date of event
27-11-2024
What happened, where and when?
Since November 27, the situation in the impacted areas remained fluid, with the escalation of hostilities in the western rural areas of Aleppo Governorate quickly spreading to Aleppo City and extending into the northern and eastern countryside of Syria. This escalation is also reported in Idleb and is moving towards Hama Governorate at the time of this DREF request. Since the onset, reports of civilian casualties, mass displacements, and extensive damage to civilian property and infrastructure have surfaced. Many humanitarian organizations have suspended their activities, and large numbers of people are reportedly trapped in frontline areas, trying to reach safer zones.
On November 29 and 30, curfews were enforced in Aleppo City. Markets and streets were reported to be empty, despite the availability of essential goods. In the last four days, the hostilities have intensified, with reports of offensives in multiple locations. The hostilities with significant humanitarian implications are reported in Aleppo, Hama, Idleb, and to a lesser degree in Dar’a, Rural Damascus, Homs, and As-Sweida. The impact on civilians includes displacements, deaths, and injuries, as well as restricted access to critical humanitarian assistance and essential services, including healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection, and food necessary for survival.
The situation remains fluid, and the hostilities are continuing in multiple areas. There is a high likelihood that more areas will be affected by these offensives as the situation remains unpredictable.
Scope and Scale
It is estimated that the ongoing situation in the northern governorates of Syria, specifically Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama, has led to the displacement of approximately 500,000 individuals inside and outside these governorates in search of safety and protection.
All governorates, especially those directly affected, are currently facing a severe shortage of humanitarian assistance and necessities due to the protracted crisis, which is considered one of the longest and most complex in the world. Already weakened communities in these areas have not fully recovered from the devastation of the earthquake that struck the region in 2023, further worsening their already dire situation. Additionally, neighboring areas previously inundated by waves of displacement are now under additional strain on their resources and services. The onset of winter has exacerbated vulnerabilities, leaving families without adequate shelter, heating, or essential non-food items.
Moreover, the recent displacement has disproportionately affected women, children, and the elderly, increasing their needs compared to other demographics and exposing them to additional risks. Despite efforts to alleviate the crisis, maintaining resilience in the most vulnerable families becomes increasingly challenging within the fragile context of limited and often absent resources.
In areas like Aleppo and Idlib, the gap between life-saving basic needs and resources accessible to the affected populations widens due to conflict and the lack of safe access to service providers and supplies, despite facilitation by many stakeholders and interest parties.
This increase in violence has exacerbated the vulnerabilities of communities already struggling with the prolonged crisis, earthquake repercussions, economic difficulties, the recent influx of displacement from Lebanon, and direct environmental pressures in densely populated areas.
The armed operations are not over as of the drafting of this request and further escalation could be expected in the coming days. The area of conflict has widened through Aleppo and rural Aleppo, Eastern and southern Idleb, and northern Hama. The population living in the currently affected areas is estimated at 3,170,000 people. Isolated incidents have also been recorded in other governorates which would increase the risk of further displacement within these governorates or in-between different governorates. As information starts to trickle in, there will be more clarity on numbers and specific needs It is to be noted that the situation remains extremely fluid.