Ramya* (29) stands in front of her tent, trying to secure its edges for fear of a storm that will cause rainwater to leak inside, “Rain and wind have become like a horror movie for us. Like a horror movie, honestly, when I see clouds I get depressed. I get depressed because I'm afraid of floods and of staying up all night trying to get water out of all sides."

Syria

Why are we in Syria? Syrians continue to face an uncertain future in 2025. Despite a major political shift in December 2024, millions of civilians are still coping with the effects of the last 14 years of conflict, including destroyed infrastructure, lost educations and livelihoods, vulnerability to disease and natural disasters, and mass displacement.

16.5 million Syrians will need humanitarian assistance in 2025

Following the onset of civil war in 2011, Syria became one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crises year after year, with over 60% of the country’s pre-war population uprooted.

For the more-than-6.2 million Syrians forced abroad, protracted displacement has meant increasing vulnerabilities, financial hardships, and struggles to find work and housing. Many of the 7.4 million Syrians displaced internally have been relocated multiple times over, their vulnerabilities multiplying with each move. At the beginning of this year, the United Nations estimated that 16.5 million people in Syria require humanitarian assistance.

The country’s political shifts in the final weeks of 2024 have led to a new reality that is continuing to develop, with returning refugees and internally-displaced persons (IDPs) as well as ongoing hostilities affecting different parts of the country. Yet the basic needs remain the same: 7.8 million children across the country need education support (including 2.4 million who are out of school entirely), 14.6 million people are facing food security, and nearly as many are also in need of livelihood support and basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

Since 2013, Concern has worked both in Syria and in neighbouring countries to meet the needs of communities whose lives have been uprooted, helping them access safe and dignified housing, employment opportunities, education, clean water, and other essentials.

Latest achievements

Food Security

Last year, Concern supported nearly 50,000 people in Syria with monthly food assistance for a span of eight months.

Emergency WASH

Education

Hani (name changed) writing on blackboard in school

Despite the tough times, Hani loves going to school. He learns, plays with friends, and really enjoys reading. Photo: Ahmad Hbood/Concern Worldwide

A woman chooses her food items from one of the shops where she purchases food with food vouchers in Kobani, Syria — part of an emergency food security program led by Concern Worldwide. Photo: Ahmad Al Aboud/Concern Worldwide

Members of the Syria Relief team deliver the cash vouchers to people affected by the February 2023 earthquake. (Photo: Ali Haj Suleiman/DEC/Fairpicture)

Oussama* (36) lives in an apartment with his wife and their three children in Northern Syria. Oussama and his family had to flee their home in 2011 amid a conflict that continues until this day. Photo: Gavin Douglas/Concern Worldwide

Safaa* working in her shop in northern Syria

Safaa* had to flee her home northern Syria in 2018 due to the conflict. Since the conflict began, Safaa and her family have faced daily struggles. Photo: Concern Worldwide

Students do 45 minutes of SEL (Safe Healing and Learning Spaces) activities each a day in an SEL class. SEL is integrated throughout the programme, so a facilitator might touch on SEL subjects, such as cooperation, in other lessons. Photo: Concern Worldwide

How we're helping in Syria

We are working hard to alleviate suffering in Syria. We are doing this by delivering a multi-sectoral package of support that includes emergency response, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.