With the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria enters a new chapter. After nearly 14 years of war and deprivation, and within a still-volatile context, the country is facing heightened humanitarian needs during this pivotal period. In a nation whose healthcare system has been severely damaged by almost 14 years of civil war, the NGO Mehad is urging the international community to respond to the immense humanitarian challenges anticipated in the coming months.
Members of Mehad’s board of directors, during their visit to Syria, met with the new health authorities in Damascus to explore the possibility of expanding the NGO’s operations across the entire country, where the needs are immense.
The fighting and bombings this December have led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, the destruction of numerous infrastructures—including health centers—and significant population displacement. At least 120,000 people have fled to the northeast of the country, and 60,000 to the Turkish border. Tens of thousands of internally displaced persons have also arrived in coastal cities (Tartus and Latakia) within a single week, currently sheltered in public facilities under extremely precarious conditions. In total, the UN anticipates one million internally displaced persons across the country.
Following the swift offensive by the HTS group and the capture of Damascus by rebel forces, the NGO Mehad is urging the international community to remain mobilized to address the immense humanitarian needs still present in Syria.
“The Syrian humanitarian crisis remains one of the most severe since World War II,” reminds Mego Terzian, Executive Director of Mehad. “Fourteen years of war and sanctions have left the country in a dire state: the healthcare system is almost entirely in need of reconstruction, and nearly 17 million Syrians require urgent humanitarian assistance.”
Currently, 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the UN. “Tens of thousands of Syrians, including internally displaced persons, have no shelter and don’t know where their next meal will come from,” explains Ziad Alissa, President of Mehad and a Syrian now based in France. “With the onset of winter, destroyed homes, and non-existent or non-functional infrastructure, the needs are immense, and we must respond.“
Mehad, which has been active in Syria since the onset of the conflict, reaffirms its commitment to providing healthcare to the Syrian population wherever needed and calls on the international funding community to rise to the challenge during this critical period for the country’s future. Only 30% of humanitarian needs were met in 2024. “Syria is at a turning point in its history,” emphasizes Ziad Alissa. “It is our duty to support the Syrian population during this time, to enable meaningful reconstruction of the country and protect civilians as much as possible.“
