Syria: Nearly 17 million people in urgent need amid increasing returns of refugees and IDPs

Place: Syria

Date: November 18, 2025

(Last update 11/19/2025 10:00:34 AM ) Prepared

Event description

Syria continues to face severe humanitarian pressures, with nearly 17 million people requiring urgent assistance amid fragile basic services. The year 2025 witnessed a significant rise in returns of refugees and IDPs, placing additional strain on already weakened infrastructure in key governorates. Several areas in the north and south remain classified as critical due to access constraints, insecurity, and widespread service disruptions.

Humanitarian conditions

Around 7.5 million children require humanitarian support, with widespread shortages in clean water and healthcare. A major food gap is anticipated, as wheat production faces a 2.73-million-ton deficit in 2025.

Security situation

Humanitarian access remains restricted across several governorates, particularly in the north and south, where relief teams face movement limitations due to military checkpoints, unsafe roads, and widespread explosive remnants of war. The UN continues to report frequent delays in delivering assistance to hard-to-reach rural areas. Limited electricity and communication disruptions further hinder coordination efforts, reducing the ability of humanitarian actors to implement timely and effective interventions.

Organizations' response

Although humanitarian actors continue to provide primary healthcare services and food assistance in areas of displacement and return, current efforts remain insufficient to meet the rapidly growing needs. Relief teams face significant access constraints, particularly in remote and rural locations, resulting in notable gaps in water, health, and protection services. Limited funding further restricts the scale and sustainability of ongoing interventions.