Humanitarian needs have skyrocketed as Syrians face war, cholera, earthquakes, and a prolonged drought
It’s been 12 years since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, and the hunger crisis is as serious as ever. The recent earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crisis, a prolonged drought and water shortages, and a deadly cholera outbreak have left 15.3 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. More than half of the population is facing hunger, a figure that has increased by more than 50% in the last three years.
Even before last month’s earthquakes, 90% of Syria’s population was living below the poverty line. Two years ago, the worst drought in 70 years decimated agricultural production and exacerbated the country’s water crisis. Now, more families across Syria are displaced and at risk of increasing food insecurity.
“We are really vulnerable people who need everything to live like humans again,” says Abu, a man in his forties. Abu and his four small children were displaced by the conflict and have now returned home to try to restart their lives. Their home was ransacked while they were gone and everything they left behind had been stolen. Abu moved to a relative’s house, because his own home was destroyed. “We only have a damaged tank that we use to store the water we buy from the truck every week.”
Still, Abu remains optimistic for the future. He hopes to find a steady livelihood and solace through farming. “We just need our land. If we manage to plant our land you will come after a year and you will see that everything is fixed,” he says.
Nearly seven million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes and remain displaced inside the country. Those displaced are unable to access food, shelter, water, sanitation, health services, or work.
“I am seven years old, and I have never been to school.” – Reem
“I should be in second grade, but last year we moved to another village and this year the school burned down,” says Reem, a displaced girl living in rural northern Syria with her family. The school in her village was used to store ammunition before it was destroyed—it was the last education facility in the area.
Syria’s basic infrastructure systems are on the verge of collapse, leaving people in desperate need. One third of the population lives with less than two hours of electricity a day. Fuel shortages, fluctuations in currency value, and rising food prices and inflation continue to erode the population’s purchasing power: an estimated 75-80% of families do not have sufficient income to cover their basic needs.
Action Against Hunger has worked in Syria since 2008. Our programs prevent hunger by restoring vital health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Our teams also help farmers and vulnerable families through training and support for income-generating activities. We repair sanitation facilities, fix water infrastructure, and improve access to safe drinking water. We’re also expanding our mobile clinics and community health networks to reach more families in need.
In addition, our teams have mobilized to respond to the ongoing cholera outbreak—the waterborne illness reappeared in the country after 13 years of zero cases—as well as to the emergency following last month’s earthquakes. Last year, Action Against Hunger directly supported more than 800,000 people in Syria.
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
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