Syrian Arab Republic

Fourteen years since the onset of the crisis, Syria is grappling with a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude, with new developments adding to the existing crises and taking a heavy toll on the people living in Syria.

Throughout 2024, waves of hostilities and explosive ordnance contamination caused civilian casualties and new displacement across the country. Attacks on critical infrastructure—including water stations, major access routes, electricity stations, gas and fuel plants, medical facilities, and farmland—have disrupted essential services, impacting access to water, electricity, and healthcare.

Regional conflicts have increasingly affected Syria. Hostilities in Lebanon since September 2024 have displaced about 562,000 people into Syria (63 per cent Syrians and 37 per cent Lebanese or other nationals). About 3,000 Lebanese refugees have crossed back into Lebanon immediately following the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Syria’s economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and rising commodity and cost of essential services, continues to drive needs across the country. The cost of living, as measured by the minimum expenditure basket, rose by 21 per cent in a year and more than tripled in just two years.

Syria’s vulnerability to climate change-induced shocks is heightened by the long-lasting impacts of conflict and compounded by water scarcity.
 

In the near term, Syria will continue to confront a massive humanitarian crisis, including one of the largest displacement crises in the world.

Parts of Syria continue to be affected by hostilities and insecurity, particularly in the north-eastern parts of the country. Damage to vital infrastructure, including water stations, bridges, markets and service providers has also affected essential services.

At the same time, a growing number of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons are considering whether to return to their homes.

It is imperative that in 2025, at this pivotal moment in the history of Syria, the international community responds effectively to the needs of the Syrian people by increasing their financial support. Despite stretched funding, the United Nations and humanitarian partners are committed to continue delivering humanitarian aid, seizing opportunities while remaining vigilant in the face of challenges and their impacts on peoples’ needs.

Considering the evolving operational environment, the humanitarian response in Syria from January through to March 2025 will focus on lifesaving interventions for people injured and displaced due to hostilities, affected by food insecurity, malnutrition and other public health crises including acute watery diarrhoea/cholera and trauma. The response will also address climate change-related risks, including water scarcity and the impact of extreme weather.

The Syria Humanitarian Response Plan 2024 remains severely underfunded, with only 34.5 per cent of the $4.1 billion requirements covered as of end-January 2025 . It is imperative that in 2025, at this pivotal moment in the history of Syria, the international community responds effectively by increasing their financial support.

During January-March 2025, the UN and humanitarian partners will need $1.2 billion to cover the most immediate needs of 6.7 million people identified to receive assistance.