Johanniter in Syria

After more than 14 years of war and over half a century of rule by the al-Assad family, Bashar al-Assad’s government came to an end in December 2024. Since January 2025, Ahmed al-Scharaa has been leading the country as interim president. Violence has declined significantly since the upheaval, but attacks continue in the south. It remains to be seen how the country will develop and what this means for the work of aid organisations.

One thing is certain: the humanitarian situation remains dire. In 2026, around 15.6 million people – more than six in ten Syrians – are dependent on humanitarian aid. Over seven million are affected by acute food insecurity. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), nine in ten people were most recently living in poverty. Around 5.5 million people are internally displaced, whilst some 4.9 million live as refugees abroad. At the same time, more than three million displaced people have returned to their places of origin since December 2024. There they face major challenges, as civilian infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed over the years. Around 12 million people require support with water, sanitation and hygiene.

The severe earthquakes that struck south-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria in February 2023 have further exacerbated the crisis in the region. Aid remains in short supply. The UN’s 2026 relief plan allocates US$2.9 billion for 8.6 million people and was most recently funded to just over 31 per cent.