Considering the evolving operational environment, the humanitarian response in Syria in 2025 will focus on persistent drivers of need, including ongoing conflict, protection risks, displacement, the socio-economic situation, environmental shocks, and the regional conflicts affecting Syria. The response will prioritize the most vulnerable populations, with a targeted focus on the provision of life-saving and life-sustaining assistance, protection, mitigation of GBV risks, human rights violations, and access to essential basic services. This includes strategic investments in essential civilian infrastructure and livelihood support. However, the risk of funding shortages for 2025 may exacerbate humanitarian conditions for millions. The (US) Executive Orders in January 2025 severely impacted humanitarian organizations and sectors across Syria, with particular concern for coordination, information management (IM), and services in health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in IDP sites that are at risk of closing due to lack of funding. The effectiveness and reach of humanitarian efforts are compounded by uncertainty on the political front, as well as ongoing hostilities that drive surges in displacement, adversely affecting civilians and damaging critical infrastructure.
Humanitarian partners will intensify efforts to implement life-saving interventions that address critical areas such as injuries and displacements due to hostilities, food insecurity, malnutrition, public health crises, and trauma. They will also address climate related risks, including water scarcity and the impact of extreme weather, as well as the recent spread of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD)/cholera. Partners will rigorously address protection risks, including ongoing violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL), limitations of freedom of movement faced by the population, and a lack of civil documentation. Further protection concerns being addressed include GBV, child marriage, forced labour, family separation, and the widespread presence of EO. From January to December 2024, partners reached an average of 2.7 million people monthly, just 25 per cent of the target population, underscoring the gap between needs and capacity.
This document aims to ensure a planning framework and continuity in addressing Syria’s humanitarian needs in a rapidly changing operational environment. Originally covering the first half of the year, this current extension expands the document to cover the period 1 January - 31 December 2025. During this time, the focus is on refining the understanding of the operational environment and the specific humanitarian needs through targeted needs assessments and detailed analysis, including through the MSNA.
For this document, sectors prioritized activities relevant to the January-December 2025 timeframe, with corresponding targets and financial values assigned with measurable outcomes. The 2025 People in Need (PiN) figures have been maintained as the foundational benchmark of this document. Sectors were encouraged to provide inputs aligned with their methodologies and capacities and advised to calculate targets and requirements using the most appropriate approaches given the unique nature of their operations.
