Syria crisis
The crisis in Syria has already continued for over six years and humanitarian needs have continued to grow. With an estimated 13.5 million people in need, Syria has become the defining humanitarian emergency of recent times.
The situation
Most of the population in Syria has been affected by violence. The ongoing fighting has taken a tremendous toll on families who have been forced to move, often multiple times.
6.3 million people have been internally displaced due to violence. Many of them have had to move multiple times.
13 million people need emergency health care.
At least 15 million people are in need of water and sanitation.
7 million people, almost half the entire population in the country, does not have enough food to survive.
About 4.8 million Syrians have registered as refugees in neighbouring countries including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The National Societies of these countries have specific programmes to provide assistance to Syrians, as well as support to the communities that are hosting them.
Section below to be replaced with up-to-date graphics
Red Cross and Red Crescent response
The IFRC has an emergency appeal to support Syrian Arab Red Crescent in reaching people who are in need of help. Syrian Arab Red Crescent reaches between 4 and 5 million women, men, children and elderly each month.
Food assistance
Half of the population living in Syria does not have or is at risk of not having access to affordable and nutritious food. Tens of thousands of children are acutely malnourished. Syrian Arab Red Crescent is distributing food parcels to the affected populations.
Medial assistance
Almost six years of conflict has left Syria’s hospitals and infrastructure severely damaged. Syrian Arab Red Crescent is the key health care provider in Syria, providing free basic and emergency health care. The Red Crescent is the only humanitarian actor that has been able to run health services also in the hard-to-reach areas.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Syrian Arab Red Crescent plays a key role in ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Providing people with hygiene kits is one of the priorities for maintaining health of vulnerable people.
Shelter
The Red Crescent provides the internally displaced people with basic shelter and household items such as mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulins and kitchen sets. Winter in Syria is extremely cold and therefore these items are crucial for the people who have had to leave their homes.
Latest updates
Recent articles
By Karina Lapteva, IFRC During winter, IFRC and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) increase humanitarian response efforts to help children and families to cope with the cold weather in most affected areas. Years of war brought destruction to many areas in Homs, Rural...
read more
Dr Attasi has worked with Syrian Arab Red Crescent as a paediatrician for two years at the Homs Ghouta health clinic. She sees around 35 patients a day.
read moreVideos
Photo galleries
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian network and is guided by seven Fundamental Principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, universality and unity.