Syrian Arab Republic: Humanitarian Response in Southern Syria - Situation Report No. 1 (as of 22 September 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 6,700 IDPs were further displaced in Dar’a and As-Sweida in September, mostly due to school evacuations for the new academic year. Overcrowded schools used as shelters are delaying education.
• Between 20 July and 14 September, 35 humanitarian convoys reached As-Sweida, delivering life-saving assistance including food, medical supplies, fuel, flour, and essential household items.
• Approximately 433,400 people across 175 communities were reached with humanitarian assistance on average in July and August. More than 54 per cent of the reach was in As-Sweida.
• Over 60% of households in As-Sweida reported insufficient food consumption in August, with rising reliance on severe coping strategies. Limited market availability and high prices for basic items are deepening food insecurity.
• Displaced families face increased health risks due to inadequate shelter and a lack of heating fuel and winter items. Shelter/NFI partners are preparing targeted winterization support.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Over two months passed since the escalation of hostilities that had devastating impacts on civilians, including fatalities, injuries, displacement, disruption of basic services and commercial activities. According to the IDP Taskforce at least 187,000 people had been displaced within As-Sweida and to other areas including Dar’a,and Rural Damascus. Despite the relevant stabilization in the security situation, a small number of IDPs returned to their places of origin in As-Sweida Governorate. Between 4 and 22 September, approximately 6,770 IDPs were further displaced from school-based shelters in Dar’a and As-Sweida due to preparations for the new academic year, which officially began on 21 September. Many schools remain overcrowded and unusable for education, prompting urgent calls to identify alternative shelter solutions and raising protection concerns for families facing pressure to vacate without clear relocation plans.

Humanitarian access to As-Sweida has seen gradual improvements in recent weeks, particularly for NGOs utilizing the Damascus–As-Sweida 110 Highway. Civilian and commercial traffic has resumed along this route, although several checkpoints remain operational, and occasional disruptions have been noted.

Commercial movements, although occasionally coordinated with humanitarian convoys facilitated by SARC under the guidance of local authorities, generally operate independently of formal humanitarian coordination mechanisms. While these movements have resumed, commodity prices in As-Sweida remain significantly higher, often two to three times, compared to those in Damascus.