Doctors of the World Strengthens Humanitarian Assistance Across Syria

Following the recent power change in Syria and the rapidly evolving national and regional context, Doctors of the World is adapting its activities to address the shifting needs of the 16.7 million Syrians reliant on humanitarian assistance.

For the past 14 years, civilians in Syria have borne the brunt of the conflict, with over 500,000 casualties and 11 million people displaced either within or outside Syria, as humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels across the country. During the war, critical infrastructure, including hospitals, power plants, and major access routes, has been attacked, severely hampering humanitarian activities.

While the political and security situation evolves rapidly, the dire humanitarian crisis persists. Doctors of the World (Médecins du Monde) is adapting its activities, particularly in response to the massive displacement of populations within Syria and near its borders. Since November 27, 2024, between 800,000 and one million people have been displaced across Syria, including 345,375 in Idlib Governorate alone and more than 100,000 in Northeast Syria. As a healthcare actor, Doctors of the World has witnessed the collapse of the Syrian healthcare system since the conflict began in 2011. Our teams should be able to reach newly accessible areas to support and strengthen local healthcare capacities.

Doctors of the World Rapid Response in Syria

As part of our emergency response in northwestern Syria and formerly government-controlled areas, Doctors of the World will prioritise the swift deployment of medical teams and supplies to regions affected by hostilities between November 27 and December 8, 2024. Our initial focus will be on providing essential medical care in Aleppo, followed by Hama, Homs, and Damascus. We will coordinate closely with local health authorities and international partners to ensure the efficient distribution of medical supplies, including medicines and consumables.

“Our teams are also assessing the broader health needs of the population, ensuring a timely response to the evolving situation. We are committed to providing life-saving services and will adjust our operations based on ongoing assessments and security developments,” said Hakan Bilgin, President of Doctors of the World Türkiye.

Doctors of the World is also active in northeastern Syria, where recent developments have exacerbated security challenges for both the population and staff. Health services are overstretched, with most facilities reliant on NGOs. The arrival of over 20,000 refugees from Lebanon and 100,000 displaced individuals from northwest Syria has further strained the fragile healthcare system. Access challenges and a critical funding gap limit aid expansion, making additional resources urgently needed to scale up the response.

Doctors of the World Calls on All Parties to Respect Human Rights and Facilitate Humanitarian Assistance in Syria

We urge all parties to respect the human rights of the Syrian people and facilitate humanitarian assistance for the 16.7 million people who need it. As the situation in Syria is strongly connected to regional issues, we call on all parties to cease hostilities and protect communities exhausted by years of intense conflict. Civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, must be protected and never targeted. They are vital for the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian access must be respected, facilitating the access of health workers including non-medical personnel.

As humanitarian and security conditions remain insufficient to ensure the safe return of Syrians living abroad, we call on states to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, maintain asylum procedures for Syrian nationals, and refrain from deportations to Syria, respecting individuals’ right to decide their future.

We call on donors to prioritise support for:

• Ensuring safe and sustained access to primary healthcare services across Syria,
• Strengthening medical supply chains to mitigate critical shortages of essential medicines and surgical kits.
• Expanding mental health and psychosocial support services as current services only reach a fraction of those in need.

About Doctors of the World in Syria

Doctors of the World began its activities in Syria in 2008, providing primary healthcare services in Aleppo Governorate in partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) before the conflict began. Over the past 14 years, Doctors of the World has implemented numerous medical and humanitarian assistance to provide access to healthcare and humanitarian assistance for Syria’s war-affected population. These include emergency medical care, reproductive and sexual health services, consultations for communicable and non-communicable diseases, and mental health and psychosocial support, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and women.

For more information or to arrange an interview: media@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk