Syria

13.4 million people in need

4.5 million people with immediate basic needs

12.3 million refugees and displaced persons

2,191,000 people helped

Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, the scale, severity and complexity of the humanitarian crisis remain difficult to imagine, with one third of the Syrian population displaced and more than 85% living below the poverty line.

Having started as a popular pro-democracy movement, the Syrian civil war has progressively become an international conflict. The offensive against Islamic State and the conflict that continued until 2020 led to numerous population displacements and the destruction of essential infrastructure. Today, the volatile and unpredictable context makes rapid and safe access to the most vulnerable populations and the humanitarian response extremely challenging. In addition, the Covid-19 epidemic is having a strong impact on the economy. Finally, Syria is currently facing a major water crisis. This situation is leading to increased humanitarian needs related to health, water and hygiene, as well as protection and means of subsistence for the most vulnerable populations.

20.7 million inhabitants
86% poverty rate
151st out of 189 on the Human Development Index

Mission
opened in 2012
Team 44 international staff
240 national staff
Budget 27.2M€

Active in the Aleppo Governorate since 2013, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL provides access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to displaced Syrians and their hosts. New intervention zones have since been progressively opened in the north-east of the country (Ar-Raqqah, Al-Hassakeh, and Der-Ez-Zor Governorates).

SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL adapted its strategy for the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services, restoring water networks, with the aim of reducing and then stopping the supply of water by truck. In addition, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is now leading a major consortium of international actors involved in health, WASH, shelter, protection, livelihoods and emergency response activities in north-eastern Syria. This strategy was made possible by unique and unprecedented access conditions negotiated by SI in the intervention zones.

In north-western Syria, the situation remains drastic. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL regularly witnesses new massive population displacements in Idlib province that threaten the survival of the affected populations. In the north of Idlib, SI is carrying out crucial humanitarian activities for these displaced people to meet their vital needs, especially access to water.

In the North-East, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL is expanding its interventions to the Food Security and Livelihoods sectors to work towards greater resilience of the populations. Today, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL and its partners are responding to both emergency and longer-term needs in north-western and north-eastern Syria.

Partners

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Crisis and Support Center, French Interministerial Food Aid Committee (CIAA), BHA, ECHO, IcSP (EU), OCHA (SCHF), Syrian Recovery Trust Fund

Strengthening population resilience (WASH, shelter)

– Restoration of water stations and water networks
– Restoration of water sources and irrigation systems
– Restoration of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructures in health facilities
– Restoration of schools, health facilities, public infrastructures
– Raising awareness of good hygiene practices and hygiene promotion

Emergency response

– Water supply
– Construction/restoration of emergency sanitation infrastructures
– Solid waste management
– Emergency hygiene promotion
– Distribution of shelter and non food items (NFI) kits
– Emergency cash transfers
– COVID-19 response activities
– Support to coordination mechanisms

Food security and livelihoods

– Distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds, materials)
– Agricultural training
– Implementation of seed production units
– Support to agricultural authorities

Should you have any questions, please contact Thomas Janny.