Displacement and winter conditions add to Syria's humanitarian challenges

Action Against Hunger has been present in Syria since 2008 providing water and sanitation and support to farmers.

Madrid/Damascus, 9 December 2024. After more than 13 years of conflict in Syria, the country is entering a period of transition following the overthrow of the Syrian government. Since 27 November, more than 350,000 people have fled their homes to other governorates and towns to escape the escalating hostilities.

"In some areas, access to food and water has been hampered. Syria is a country with more than 16 million people in urgent need of assistance, with very high levels of food insecurity, and we can only expect needs to have increased. The important thing now is to monitor the evolving situation and design the response for the most vulnerable, host communities and displaced people," explains Elise Madouche, Director of Action Against Hunger in Syria.

Ninety per cent of the Syrian population lives below the poverty line. "The situation was already very serious before the latest events, and before the recent influx of families fleeing the conflict in Lebanon to find refuge in Syria. Today, NGO interventions are more critical than ever, especially with new displacements and harsh winter conditions," adds Elise Madouche.

Action Against Hunger has been working in Syria since 2008 and is present throughout the country, from the coast to the far east, strengthening the resilience of the population through multi-sectoral programmes: reproductive health services in primary, maternal and child care; water and sanitation; and support to farmers and families through training and income-generating initiatives.

"All NGOs have had to suspend their activities due to the situation. It is important for humanitarian organisations like ours to resume work on all the activities we have been carrying out for years, to continue supporting all vulnerable communities in Syria. Action Against Hunger teams in Syria are fully prepared to restart the activities we had active until the end of November and expand them to respond to emerging needs," explains Elise Madouche.

"Action Against Hunger's commitment remains firm as we continue to address the urgent needs of the population and support their path towards a stable and peaceful future," concludes Elise Madouche.