Syria Crisis
Humanitarian Response Plan
People in Need
16.7M
People Targeted
10.8M
Requirements (US$)
$4.07B
Entering its 13th year of crisis, Syria grapples with a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude, with new emergencies adding to existing crisis and taking a heavy toll on the people living in the country. Protracted displacement, economic decline, global inflation, escalation of hostilities and the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck south-eastern Türkiye and northern Syria in February 2023 are some of the biggest challenges currently faced by the people in Syria. These factors have been further exacerbated by the collapse of the economic system in neighbouring countries and impact of regional conflicts and tensions.
In 2024, 16.7 million people are expected to need humanitarian assistance, the largest number since the beginning of the crisis in 2011. The effects of the rapid economic deterioration and lack of livelihood opportunities further expose vulnerable people to protection risks and threats, including enhanced risk of sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of gender-based violence for women and children as they explore feasible means to meet their day-to-day basic needs.
Requirements for Syria appeals have increased over the years. In 2023 the requirements reached a high of $5.4 billion. Although funding had been relatively stable at $2.3 - $2.4 billion between 2020 and 2022, last year, funding decreased to $2.1 billion, or 38 per cent of requirements – a significant decrease in coverage compared to previous years.
To be able to implement the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan in full, funding of $4.07 billion will be required – to address the immediate humanitarian needs of 10.8 million (5.4 million females and 5.3 million males) vulnerable people targeted out of the 16.7 million assessed to be in need.
Syria HRP (2020 - 2024)
Regional Refugee and Resilience Response Plan
People in Need
19.3M
People Targeted
12.9M
Requirements (US$)
$4.86B
Countries Covered
5
Refugees Targeted
6M
Host Community Members Targeted
6.8M
The Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region will also aim to mobilise resources for the Syria Regional Refugee and Resilience Response Plan. Approximately 6 million Syrians, many of them displaced for over a decade, have sought refuge in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt - the five countries covered by the Syria Regional Refugee and Resilience Response Plan (3RP). The protracted nature of the conflict, which has resulted in one of the world's largest refugee crises, has strained public infrastructure and services in host countries, especially housing, education, health care, waste management, and water and sanitation.
A noticeable rise in poverty among refugees and host communities underscores the growing challenges, with reduced humanitarian assistance and limited or fragile social safety nets. This has resulted in increased reliance on harmful coping mechanisms, such as families reducing meals, accumulating debt, and cutting expenses on health and children’s education. Female-headed households are more prone to poverty and are frequently unable to access basic services. Incidents of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse, rape and trafficking have increased over the past year, and an estimated 7.3 million women and girls need GBV-related services. Services to respond to people with disabilities, particularly women, are also limited and women with disabilities are at higher risk of sexual and physical abuse, rape and or emotional and psychological harm. The protracted nature of the Syria crisis, compounded by challenging socio-economic circumstances in most 3RP countries, makes preserving social cohesion vital. However, mitigating tensions between communities is becoming increasingly challenging in a context where protection space is shrinking.
Funding for the 3RP is dwindling even as needs become more acute. In 2023, a mere 31 per cent of the total appeal of $5.86 billion was received. As international support is stretched by other global priorities and emerging crises, this decline poses a significant risk, exacerbating the crisis in 3RP countries and threatening their socio-economic stability.
In 2024, over 19 million people in 3RP countries are projected to need assistance. This includes some 6.4 million refugees and 12.9 million impacted host community members. Over 270 partners across 3RP countries will continue to support government-led efforts in assisting these refugees and vulnerable host community members. In response to the decrease in humanitarian and resilience funding and the need for strategic prioritization, 3RP partners have carefully reviewed the funding requirements in relation to the priority needs, and subsequently reduced the collective funding request to $4.86 billion for 2024 - down from $5.8 billion in 2023. The ‘One Refugee’ approach, the Global Compact on Refugees, and the 2030 Agenda guide the 3RP’s long-term, solutions-orientated response.
Syria 3RP (2020 - 2024)
Yemen
Humanitarian Response Plan
Resource mobilisation efforts are also underway for Yemen, where an estimated 18.2 million people – over half of Yemen’s population - need humanitarian assistance and protection services. Yemen is facing an increasingly unpredictable future. Previous optimism of an improved humanitarian situation and the prospect of peace has given way to considerable concern amidst operational constraints and access challenges, decreased funding, widespread regional tensions, and a slowing peace process. Improvements in the humanitarian situation since the start of the UN-brokered truce in April 2022 are reversing. Levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are rising, driven by economic instability and humanitarian funding gaps. A cholera outbreak is currently quickly worsening across the country and approximately 24,000 suspected cases and 124 deaths were reported as of 21 April. Humanitarians acted quickly to combat the outbreak, with the UN and partners developing a multi-cluster response plan to support up to 137,000 severe cases.
Around 17.6 million people are likely to experience severe food insecurity. 2.7 million women and five million children under five will require treatment for acute malnutrition. Fourteen per cent of the population – 4.5 million people – are displaced, many of whom have been displaced multiple times.
Requirements for Yemen have increased over the years with a peak in 2023 and in 2022 ($4.3 billion). However, last year, coverage of the Yemen response reached an all-time low, with only 41 per cent of the requirements fulfilled. For 2024, humanitarian partners have undertaken extensive efforts to deliver a more targeted, better prioritised and more integrated humanitarian response. $2.7 billion is needed to assist 11.2 million people. The activities outlined in the 2024 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan will be delivered by over 200 organisations, the majority of which are local and national NGOs. It will cover all 333 districts of Yemen and respond to the diverse needs of the population. The humanitarian community will also identify sustainable solutions for the people of Yemen in collaboration with development partners. The humanitarian community is working to increase its own effectiveness and improve efficiency to ensure the most impact from each dollar, however, a third of the way through the year, the appeal is only 15 per cent funded.
Yemen HRP (2020 - 2024)
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