Due to the comprehensive impact of the crisis on all population groups across the country, this document covers all populated areas of Syria, including 7.4 million IDPs. Trends in humanitarian needs are disaggregated among the entire population up to the sub-district level (admin 3). This document is focused on three main population groups: IDPs in camps, IDPs out of camps and vulnerable residents.
Population group #1: IDPs in camps
Over two million IDPs, mostly women and children and comprising 31 per cent of the total IDPs in Syria, remain in camps designed to act as a last resort for the short term. Most last resort sites such as informal settlements/camps, planned camps and collective centres are characterized by a lack of camp management systems, poor shelter conditions, overcrowding and varying degrees of access to basic services, increasing the exposure to GBV of women, boys and girls and leaving IDPs in camps vulnerable and in need of humanitarian aid.
Population group #2: IDPs out of camps
Over five million IDPs reside outside of camps in Syria, who comprise 69 per cent of the total IDPs in Syria. The majority of IDPs out of camps are concentrated in Aleppo (20 per cent), Rural Damascus (19 per cent) Idleb (15 per cent), Damascus (12 per cent) and Lattakia (9 per cent) Governorates, according to June 2024 Population Task Force data. This group consists of people displaced by hostilities—many of whom are in protracted displacement or have been displaced multiple times and face heightened protection risks. This concentration of displaced populations exacerbates the shortages and access limitations present throughout the country. Out of camp IDPs face psychosocial distress due to disruption in daily routines, exposure to forced evictions, lack of access to land tenure and breakdown in the social fabric.
Population group #3: Vulnerable residents
An estimated 10.8 million vulnerable residents need assistance. This emphasizes the considerable impact of economic decline on segments of the population that have historically experienced less direct influence from hostilities and displacement. It indicates a continuous and broadening crisis, with additional segments of the population progressively experiencing heightened humanitarian needs.
Affected Palestine Refugees in Syria
Among the 438,000 Palestine Refugees in Syria, 40 per cent are in protracted displacement, making this population one of the most vulnerable. Facing socio-economic decline, and increasingly severe living conditions, these refugees are more reliant than ever on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) support to meet their basic needs. Economic vulnerability is rising, with a significant portion of households spending most of their income on food, while unemployment remains high with only 33 per cent of adults working.
The escalation of regional hostilities has compounded these challenges, resulting in the return of thousands of displaced Palestine Refugees to Syria, further stretching already limited resources and infrastructure. Despite efforts to rehabilitate camps like Yarmouk, Ein el Tal, and Dara'a, the damage from the ongoing conflict remains severe, particularly in Yarmouk, where 71 per cent of homes are reported as damaged.
The UNRWA funding crisis has exacerbated the situation, with only 19 per cent of the 2024 Emergency Appeal budget met. This funding gap has deepened the vulnerability of Palestine Refugees, especially among children and women, who face increased protection risks such as child labour, early marriage, and neglect, which negatively impacts education. Food insecurity, which rose from 46 per cent in September 2022 to 62 per cent in March 2024, has contributed to malnutrition, affecting children, pregnant women and the elderly. Prolonged displacement has intensified trauma and mental health issues, while access remains limited for essential services like healthcare and education.
References
- Population Task Force, as of June 2024.