Joint statement by the NGOs Handicap International, Médecins du Monde and Mehad
On 17 March, the European Union is hosting the 9th Brussels Conference on Syria. This is a crucial meeting to mobilise the international community in favour of a peaceful transition in which every Syrian community will participate. It must also secure concrete financial commitments for humanitarian aid in Syria and neighbouring host countries.
In Brussels, the ministers of the European states, and France in particular, will have to take a firm stand in favour of human rights, humanitarian action and international solidarity. This commitment must be accompanied by immediate financial pledges to ensure the continuity of humanitarian activities and the reconstruction of the country. On European soil, governments must commit to guaranteeing protection for Syrian refugees, who can only return voluntarily because living conditions in Syria today cannot be considered safe.
The recent upsurge in violence in Syria is directly affecting the country’s historic opportunity for a peaceful political transition that respects human rights. Civilian casualties are considerable: more than 1,300 people have been killed to date, and thousands more injured. Six hospitals are now inoperative, exacerbating an already alarming humanitarian and health situation.
After more than 13 years of war, the Syrian healthcare system is in a state of collapse, even though it is essential to the country’s social and economic stability. According to the new Syrian authorities, only 16.4% of the country’s healthcare facilities are currently operational (including hospitals, treatment centres, dialysis centres, blood banks, etc.). It is imperative for the international community to stand up for international humanitarian law and reiterate that hospitals and civilians must never be targeted.
Present throughout Syria, medical NGOs are the essential lifeline for maintaining access to healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Syrians. They work in a variety of ways, supporting the rehabilitation of hospitals and health centres, supplying equipment and medicines, and helping to train medical staff.
However, the humanitarian sector is going through an unprecedented funding crisis, with dramatic effects on global health. Already underfunded, the humanitarian response in Syria is now being hit hard by this crisis, particularly by the sudden suspension of USAID funding, which accounts for almost 25% of humanitarian projects[1]. These cuts are fatal for an already stretched health system. In north-west Syria, 102 health facilities have already run out of funds since the start of 2025[2] and by the end of the month, 45% of health facilities in the region will close if they do not receive additional funding[3].
In concrete terms, 12 of the 17 clinics supported by Médecins du Monde in north-west Syria have ceased operations. In the same region, one hospital and two health centres supported by the NGO Mehad have ceased operations. More than 10,000 people were flocking to these health centres every day, particularly for maternal and child healthcare, or to treat chronic illnesses. This situation leads inexorably to thousands of avoidable deaths. A multi-sector needs analysis carried out by Handicap International in north-west Syria in 2025 revealed some alarming statistics: 43% of people surveyed had reduced access to care due to damaged infrastructure and physical barriers, 24% noted a lack of rehabilitation staff and 28% noted an insufficient number of prostheses and orthoses. With USAID budget cuts, the figures are now thought to be much higher.
The continuity of essential services, particularly health services, has been affected by the sudden suspension of USAID funding. Only rapid disbursements will prevent the deterioration of these services, which are already very limited, and enable sustainable reconstruction in Syria. This peaceful transition is decisive for the stability of the region.
The Brussels conference is taking place at a pivotal moment in Syria’s history. The States represented have an historic responsibility: to respond to the emergency and support the Syrian people in their transition and reconstruction. We, the medical NGOs, urge them to live up to this commitment.
Dr Jean-François Corty, President of Médecins du Monde
Manuel Patrouillard, Director General of Handicap International
Dr Mego Terzian, Chief Executive Officer of Mehad, former Chairman of Médecins sans Frontières France
[1] Policy Analysis: USAID Funding Freeze and Its Impact on The Humanitarian Response in Syria – Syrian Arab Republic | ReliefWeb
[2] https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/01/1159596
[3] Health cluster, Turkey hub
