Tuesday, 10 December 2024. Following the recent power change in Syria and the rapidly evolving national and regional context, Médecins du Monde is adapting its activities to address the shifting needs of the 16.7 million Syrians reliant on humanitarian assistance.
For the past 14 years, civilians in Syria have borne the brunt of the conflict, with over 500,000 casualties and 23 million people displaced either within or outside Syria, as humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels across the country. During the war, critical infrastructure, including hospitals, power plants, and major access routes, has been attacked, severely hampering humanitarian activities.
While the political and security situation evolves rapidly, the dire humanitarian crisis persists. Médecins du Monde is adapting its activities, particularly in response to the massive displacement of populations within Syria and near its borders. Since November 27, 2024, between 800,000 and one million people have been displaced across Syria, including 345,375 in Idlib Governorate alone and more than 100,000 in Northeast Syria. As a healthcare actor, Médecins du Monde has witnessed the collapse of the Syrian healthcare system since the conflict began in 2011. Our teams should be able to reach newly accessible areas to support and strengthen local healthcare capacities.
Our Rapid Response
As part of our emergency response in northwestern Syria and formerly government-controlled areas, Médecins du Monde will prioritize the swift deployment of medical teams and supplies to regions affected by hostilities between November 27 and December 8, 2024. Our initial focus will be on providing essential medical care in Aleppo, followed by Hama, Homs, and Damascus. We will coordinate closely with local health authorities and international partners to ensure the efficient distribution of medical supplies, including medicines and consumables.
“Our teams are also assessing the broader health needs of the population, ensuring a timely response to the evolving situation. We are committed to providing life-saving services and will adjust our operations based on ongoing assessments and security developments,” said Hakan Bilgin, President of Médecins du Monde Türkiye.
Médecins du Monde is also active in northeastern Syria, where recent developments have exacerbated security challenges for both the population and staff. Health services are overstretched, with most facilities reliant on NGOs. The arrival of over 20,000 refugees from Lebanon and 100,000 displaced individuals from northwest Syria has further strained the fragile healthcare system. Access challenges and a critical funding gap limit aid expansion, making additional resources urgently needed to scale up the response.
