For nearly 15 years, Syria suffered from a long-lasting conflict. The fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 brought hope for the country, but rebuilding will take time. The scars of war run deep—not just in damaged buildings but in millions of lives.
The road to recovery is long for Syria. Essential services are still hard to find, the economy is struggling, and many families are still displaced. Since December 2024, 1.2 million people have returned—885,000 internally displaced and over 300,000 returned from other countries. Many arrived to find nothing left—infrastructure, basic needs, access to health care, and education.
Nine out of ten Syrians live in extreme poverty and struggle to survive. Half of the country’s infrastructure is destroyed, and 3 out of four persons depend on humanitarian aid for survival, which is 75% of the total population. Education is also severely limited: over 30% of schools are unusable and desperately need repair. Syria’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. Hospitals and clinics are struggling to remain open, and many have already reduced operations or shut down completely. Clinics are running out of essential medicines, and doctors are forced to turn away patients due to a lack of resources.
At this turning point, Syrians need long-term support to rebuild their future. INTERSOS has been on the ground for five years. Within days of the regime’s fall, our teams were fully deployed, delivering health, protection, and education services in Hama, Idlib, and Rural Damascus.
We were among the first international NGOs to fully resume operations in Syria, and we’re here to stay. Humanitarian aid is still a lifeline, but only 10% of the $1.2 billion needed to support people through March has been secured. Without urgent action, millions will not get the help they need.
Syrian’s crisis is a protection crisis
The Syrian crisis remains a protection crisis, representing the world’s second-largest displacement emergency. Years of conflict, extreme poverty, and unhealed trauma have made life even more challenging for the most vulnerable.
Accidents of Unexploded bombs and landmines are a daily danger. Since December, 463 people have been hurt—158 killed, 305 injured. One-third of them were children. Almost six million Syrians (28% of the population), many of them children, have been left with permanent disabilities, and proper care is often not available.
Women, girls, and children still face violence and discrimination. Issues like domestic and gender-based violence and mental health struggles remain serious problems. People need access to protection services, and communities need support to prevent harmful practices.
Children remain among the most at risk, facing forced recruitment, abuse, and violence. INTERSOS prioritizes child protection by providing child-friendly spaces, community-based protection, mental health support, and case management services to keep them safe and help them recover.
Legal support is also crucial, especially for housing, land, and property (HLP) rights and civil documentation. Many Syrians cannot access legal help, which makes it harder for them to return home, claim their rights, and rebuild their lives. INTERSOS works to connect people with legal assistance and raise awareness about these key issues.
A stronger focus on community support is essential for adequate protection. By empowering local communities, INTERSOS supports protection structures, spreads awareness about gender-based violence, and strengthens local solutions. Ensuring protection services are available, accessible and sustainable remains at the heart of our response.
A new wave of violence in Syria’s coastal region
On March 5, a wave of violence began in Syria’s coastal region, bringing devastating consequences for civilians. Families in different parts across northwestern Syria, particularly Latakia and Tartous governorates and surrounding towns and villages, already struggling with economic hardship, compromised public service infrastructure and instability, are now facing death, destruction, and displacement. Heavy fighting has turned once-crowded streets into battlegrounds, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
These recent events have not only reopened old wounds but have also worsened tensions between communities, both within Syria and in neighbouring countries like Lebanon, where thousands have sought refuge.