Displacement and winter conditions increase humanitarian challenges

After more than 13 years of conflict in Syria, the country enters a period of transition following the overthrow of the Syrian government. Since 27 November, more than 350,000 people fled their home to other Governorates, other villages to escape from escalating hostilities.

“In some areas, access to food and water has been hampered. Syria is a country with more than 16 million people in need of urgent assistance, with very high levels of food insecurity and we can only expect needs to have increased. The important thing now is to monitor developments and design the response for the most vulnerable ones, host and displaced communities” explains Elise Madouche, Action Against Hunger’s Syria Country Director.

90% of the population in Syria is living under the poverty threshold. “The situation was already very dire before the latest events, and before the recent influx of families fleeing the conflict in Lebanon to find refuge in Syria. Today, NGOs’ interventions are more critical than ever, especially with new displacements and harsh winter conditions”, adds Elise Madouche.

Action Against Hunger has been working in Syria since 2008 and is present throughout the country, from the coast to the far east, strengthening the resilience of the population through multi-sectoral programmes: reproductive health services in primary, maternal and child care; water supply and sanitation; and support to farmers and families through training and income-generating initiatives. “All NGOs had to put on hold their activities because of the situation. It is important that humanitarian organisations like ours resume the work of all activities that we have been implementing for years, to continue supporting all vulnerable communities in Syria. Action Against Hunger teams in Syria arefully ready to go back to implementing the activities we had active until the end of November and scale up to respond to unfolding needs”, explains Elise Madouche.

“Action Against Hunger commitment remains steadfast as we continue to address the urgent needs of the population and support their path towards a stable and peaceful future,” concludes Elise Madouche.