Attachments
Key Highlights
- An estimated 800,000 to 1 million people are internally displaced within Syria as of 8 December. Recent hostilities have caused further damage to civilian infrastructure and humanitarian assets, adding to humanitarian needs in a country where more than 16 million people already required humanitarian assistance.
- Despite the uncertain outlook, UNHCR is gradually resuming services. UNHCR community centers are expanding capacity, with 59 out of 114 centres now functional. Protection activities prioritize remote support for urgent cases, including medical and psychosocial assistance.
- UNHCR is also providing emergency assistance in the north-west and north-east. The UNHCR cross-border operation remains fully operational. All UNHCR-supported community centres in north-west Syria resumed regular operations by 10 December and winter support is being provided to 6,200 households in Idleb and northern Aleppo.
- Interagency contingency planning for refugee arrivals and return has been launched through established refugee return coordination groups within the 3RP coordination framework.
Situation Overview
The escalation of hostilities since 27 November 2024 and the fall of the former Government on 8 December have brought about a fundamental shift in the situation in Syria.
The situation remains dynamic and volatile. More than one in five people are being displaced for at least the second time. Airstrikes and military operations, alongside civilian casualties, have been reported across the country. The Israeli military have reportedly carried out hundreds of air strikes across Syria over the past few days, hitting much of the country’s strategic weapon stockpiles. Clashes have been reported in Aleppo and Deir-ez-Zor, and conflict has damaged civilian infrastructure and disrupted services in northeast Syria.
Pervasive insecurity and disruptions to transportation routes have severely impacted humanitarian operations. A number of warehouses storing relief items have reportedly been looted and humanitarian partners are working to verify the extent and impact of losses.
UNHCR continues to gradually resume services. The UNHCR border health/protection post at the Jdaidet Yabous Syria-Lebanon border is also set to reopen.