9th December, 2024 - International aid agency, World Vision, is in Syria responding to the massive spike in humanitarian need brought about by the overthrow of the Assad regime. 

Hundreds of civilians have been reported killed or injured over the past 10 days. In addition. 178,000 people have been displaced, leaving families in need of basic assistance and with little support as humanitarian operations are suspended in the face of ongoing insecurity. 

The latest bout of suffering follows 14 years of conflict and annual shortages of funding to deal with ongoing enormous needs.   There are currently 16.7 million people in need in Syria out of a population of 24.3 million people.  While across the region another 12.9 million Syrians - and people hosting them - need humanitarian assistance. 

More than 280,000 people have been uprooted in northwest Syria in recent days following the escalation of conflict. 

The UN reports families sheltering in overcrowded camps, with limited access to the basics and worsening conditions. Winter is coming with people facing the cold with next to nothing. 

Food scarcity is a growing concern, with bakeries and markets struggling to operate. Public services and critical facilities, especially in Aleppo, including hospitals, bakeries, power stations, and water supplies, have been disrupted. Some are not-functioning due a shortage of supplies and staff.   

“The overall situation has hampered the availability and accessibility of basic services. Critical services such as access to food, clean water, and sanitation are under pressure. Children in particular, are impacted,” said World Vision Ireland CEO, Gillian Barnett. 

There is a risk of waterborne diseases resulting from poor sanitation. Funding shortfalls are challenging efforts to restore clean water in cities, including Aleppo. Funding is also needed to support women and girl survivors of sexual violence and to protect children and help them face the violence they have experienced.   

“The escalation has severely disrupted health services. Several health-care facilities, including main hospitals and primary health-care centres, have been damaged or closed. Health-care facilities are under immense strain, with many hospitals only offering emergency services. In addition, the conflict, displacement and disruptions to essential services have placed immense psychological pressure on the affected population, especially children,” said Barnett.   

World Vision Syria will continue to assess what people need in what is a rapidly evolving situation and will scale up humanitarian operations by collaborating with local implementing partners to reach those most affected.  

“There is an urgent need for immediate funding to support those affected by the recent escalation of events in Syria, especially children, who have mostly grown up in a context of conflict. We must do everything in our power to protect them and enable a future with hope. World Vision calls on all parties to prioritise peace and put the well-being of children first,” said Barnett. 
 
Note to Editor  

For further information please contact: press@worldvision.ie  

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. 

For more information, please visit www.worldvision.ie or follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVisionIre.