From refugees to crippling poverty, a look at Syria's never-ending humanitarian crisis

An additional concern lies in the absence of clean and potable water in 47% of the camps. This has led to an increase in skin diseases among hundreds of thousands of Syrians due to the proliferation of insects and limited access to water.

Furthermore, more than two-thirds of the camps lack educational facilities or schools, resulting in children having to travel long distances to receive an education.

Meanwhile, the most pressing issue lies in the food security crisis affecting 81% of the camps, largely due to inadequate humanitarian responses in this sector. The lack of sufficient food supplies has become a critical concern for the displaced population.

Challenges to return

The issue of refugee return remains a significant concern within the Syrian crisis and has been a focal point of discussions among Arab foreign ministers at the preparatory meeting for the Arab Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The decision for Syria's return to the Arab League during the ministerial council meeting on 7 May 2023, also emphasised the importance of addressing the refugee situation.

Read more: UN Envoy to Syria: Arab normalisation presents unique opportunity that must be seized

However, the actual return of refugees is contingent upon the availability of suitable conditions. These conditions include guarantees of no security persecution or arrests, as well as considerations related to economic stability and reconstruction efforts.

Currently, neighbouring countries have provided refuge to over 5.6 million Syrian refugees, with the majority residing in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, and smaller numbers in Iraq and Egypt. Syrian refugees have become the largest group of refugees globally.

In the lead-up to the Jeddah summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said that Syrian refugees must return to their homeland. He acknowledged that this would require significant effort, but said that Syria was ready to welcome them back. Mekdad also pointed out that asylum is a burden on host countries, and that Syria would prefer to bear this burden itself.

Although combat operations have ceased in many areas of Syria for several years, the country is still considered "unsafe" by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR has stated that it will not facilitate collective return operations in the absence of basic protection conditions.

However, they are committed to assisting individual refugees who choose to return voluntarily and with dignity.

In cases where individuals are unable to integrate into Syria or return safely to their homeland, the United Nations may provide assistance for some refugees to resettle in a third country.

The eligibility for resettlement is determined based on specific criteria, regardless of factors such as race, ethnic origin, gender, social status, educational level, social situation, nationality, or religion. Selection for resettlement is based on meeting these criteria.

Resettlement is indeed considered a solution available in limited and special circumstances, and countries are not obligated to accept refugees for resettlement. The UNHCR focuses on identifying and prioritising the most vulnerable refugees for potential resettlement.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, says that the UNHCR is working with the Syrian government to create favourable conditions for the voluntary return of refugees.

Recognising the legitimate concerns of refugees about the potential resumption of military operations and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in their home country, efforts are being made to address these concerns through engagement with the authorities in Damascus.

Funding challenges

Syria has been grappling with persistent humanitarian and protection challenges since the onset of the war in 2011. According to United Nations estimates, around 13 million people in Syria require humanitarian aid, including more than 4 million children. Disturbingly, more than half a million children in Syria suffer from chronic malnutrition. 

The exacerbation of humanitarian needs can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the devaluation of the Syrian pound, fuel shortages, and the prevailing political and economic challenges within the country.

The United Nations has stressed the urgent need for increased funding to provide life-saving assistance to as many people as possible across Syria, as well as in neighbouring countries.

Humanitarian organisations report that approximately 100,000 individuals residing in camps in north-eastern Syria lack access to basic services, while their hopes of an immediate return to their homes have been dampened.

In other areas, many Syrians whose lives have been upended by the conflict rely on humanitarian aid to feed their families due to the challenging economic conditions they face.

To address these pressing needs, the United Nations estimates that $3.3 billion in funding is required this year to meet humanitarian needs within Syria, while an additional $5.2 billion is needed to support Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries and assist host communities.

Dire conditions

The latest report from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic warns of the ongoing suffering and hardships endured by Syrians as a result of the 12-year-long conflict and the escalating intensity of the war along the northern front.

The report highlights the dire circumstances faced by Syrians, emphasising that they are enduring increasing hardships while living amidst the ruins of this protracted conflict. Millions of individuals are suffering and dying in displacement camps, while resources continue to dwindle and donor fatigue becomes a growing concern.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that more than half the population of Syria, approximately 12.1 million people, suffer from food insecurity. This alarming deterioration in food security can be attributed to multiple factors, including the country's heavy reliance on food imports, as it has shifted from being self-sufficient in food production in previous years.

The protracted conflict, now entering its 12th year, has also contributed to this situation. Furthermore, recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey have caused further destruction and added to the challenges faced by the population.

Spread of disease

Amidst the already dire circumstances, Syrians who have survived the horrors of war continue to be exposed to deadly diseases such as cholera, which is currently spreading in six governorates, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The devastating effects of 12 years of conflict can be seen in the healthcare system, with only 64% of hospitals and 54% of primary healthcare centres able to fully function. Additionally, approximately 70% of healthcare workers have left the country.

Astronomical death toll and psychological trauma

The United Nations Human Rights Office stated in June 2022 that at least 306,887 civilians have lost their lives in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011, representing about 1.5% of the pre-war population.

Estimates suggest that the actual number of fatalities could reach up to 600,000. However, it is important to note that these figures only include civilians directly killed as a result of the war and do not encompass non-civilian deaths.

Children have been particularly impacted by the conflict, with approximately 13,000 casualties and injuries recorded since the crisis began, according to the latest statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Since 2011, around 5 million children have been born in various parts of Syria, growing up amidst war and conflict. These children live in constant fear of violence, landmines, and explosive remnants of war. A survey conducted by UNICEF last year revealed that one-third of the children showed signs of psychological distress, highlighting the lasting impact of the conflict on their well-being.

Syrians are increasingly experiencing psychological disorders as a result of the prolonged living conditions and limited access to services during the 12-year-long conflict, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report indicates that a significant number of patients surveyed suffer from various mental and psychological conditions, including psychosis, mania, addiction, and depression.

It is worth noting that Syria has only two hospitals specialised in the treatment of mental and psychological diseases, highlighting the challenges in addressing the growing mental health needs.

Devaluation of currency

The Syrian currency has significantly devalued over the years of the war and recently reached its lowest level against the US dollar since 2011. This depreciation has led to a significant rise in the prices of various commodities.

Syria heavily relies on the US dollar for most of its transactions, and the currency is affected by Western sanctions, primarily led by Washington, as a response to the Syrian government's suppression of protests in 2011.

Most Syrians rely on the black market for their financial transactions, sending remittances from abroad to exchange companies and offices operating in government-controlled areas.

The Syrian economy continues to suffer from Western sanctions, but it has received support from allies such as Iran and Russia, who have provided military, political, and economic assistance. The conflict and its aftermath have severely weakened the Syrian economy, fueled corruption, and resulted in the emergence of warlords.

The average monthly wage in Syria, which used to range between $300 and $600 before the war, has significantly dwindled to approximately $20 to $50. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), 67% of Syrians require monthly assistance to combat hunger.

Notably, the Caesar Act, a US legislation, is among the prominent Western sanctions imposed on Syria. It prohibits dealing with Syrian banks and imposes strict sanctions on companies and individuals engaged in financial activities with the Syrian government. The law also sanctions foreign companies that engage in business with Syria.

Read more: How the Caesar Act restricts normalisation with Syria

The financial embargo on Syria prevents various goods, including food and medicine, from reaching the country from many nations.

The Caesar Act was named after the person who allegedly leaked information and images of torture victims in Syria between 2011 and 2014. The United Nations estimated that the war has cost the Syrian economy approximately $388 billion, further exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the country.

Crippling poverty and food insecurity

Last year, the United Nations estimated that more than 90% of the Syrian population is living below the poverty line. Many are forced to make difficult choices to meet their basic needs.

The international community was urged to provide urgent and effective life-saving aid to millions of people in north-western Syria, allowing them to sustain themselves with dignity.

In addition to increasing poverty, Syria is grappling with a water crisis, deteriorating food security, and a resurgence of coronavirus cases. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the number of people in need of aid has risen from 13.4 million last year to 14.6 million this year.

Years of war have exhausted the economy and its resources, and the government's capacity to provide basic needs is diminishing due to the devaluation of the Syrian pound. OCHA noted that 76% of households are unable to meet their basic needs, a 10% increase compared to the previous year.

Even populations who have not been displaced or those who returned to their areas before January 2021 are increasingly struggling to meet their basic needs, signalling the widening scope of the crisis.

In 2021, the United Nations estimated that 9.2 million of the most vulnerable people would require assistance, marking a 44% increase compared to the previous year. This highlights the significant impact of economic deterioration on segments of the population less directly affected by hostilities and displacement.

Syria has become one of the countries suffering from severe food insecurity, with over half its population experiencing severe food insecurity. Approximately 12.4 million people depend on bread from public bakeries to meet their minimum daily calorie intake.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners have launched integrated humanitarian interventions to enhance the wheat-to-bread value chain, which has been severely disrupted by years of conflict.

Read more: Regime's lowball price for wheat jeopardises Syria's food security

As part of the efforts to address the food crisis in Syria, there are initiatives to rehabilitate the only remaining public yeast factory in Homs governorate. Prior to the crisis, Syria had four state-owned yeast factories that supplied around 113 tons of yeast daily to a wide network of public bakeries across the country.

However, today, the Homs factory is the only one still operational, but it operates at a much-reduced capacity. This situation further underscores the challenges faced in maintaining food production and distribution within the country.

In terms of Syrians seeking refuge abroad, poverty rates vary across different regions, with some countries experiencing rates exceeding 60%. The United Nations highlights that host communities have been significantly impacted by the Syrian crisis, with 93% of refugees living in host communities rather than camps. Turkey, in particular, hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees.

The United Nations appeals to donors to increase their support to meet the growing humanitarian needs, as the organisation receives less than 58% of the required funding. It emphasises that a political solution is the only viable option to end the suffering of civilians in Syria.

The conflict in Syria initially began as peaceful protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011 but later evolved into a long and gruelling conflict involving multiple parties, with intervention from regional and global powers.

Although fighting has ceased on many fronts for years, violence and the humanitarian crisis persist, impacting millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

Reconstruction: A monumental challenge 

After more than 12 years of war, the Syrian government has managed to regain control of over 70% of the country with the assistance of Russian and Iranian support. However, the task of reconstruction ahead is enormous and poses significant challenges for a country that is economically devastated, requiring hundreds of billions of dollars.

The war has caused extensive destruction to Syria's infrastructure, including the electricity network, fuel and water supplies. One-third of schools have been damaged, and half of the hospitals, clinics, and dispensaries are no longer functional.

A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states that 7% of homes have been destroyed, while an additional 20% have suffered damage.

Read more: Syrian reconstruction will only come from Syrian realism

In February, President Bashar al-Assad expressed the need for international assistance in the reconstruction process during his meeting with Martin Griffiths, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. However, the Syrian government remains a pariah in the West, making international reconstruction efforts more complex.

Despite Western sanctions, international aid reaches government-controlled territories in Syria through United Nations agencies, many of which operate from Damascus.

Aid also enters through the Bab al-Hawa crossing point from Turkey to Idlib, authorised by a Security Council resolution on cross-border aid. Furthermore, extensions were granted to two other crossings following the earthquake that occurred in February.