Syria remains in a highly critical situation, with over 16.5 million people in need across the country. Destroyed homes, closed schools, and entire families forced to survive without water, food, or healthcare—among them, millions of children facing an uncertain future.
The recent change of authority on 8 December has further destabilised a country already ravaged by 14 years of civil war. Hostilities and insecurity persist, particularly in the northeast, severely affecting daily life and worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation.
The country’s economic conditions are disastrous, compounded by extensive damage to infrastructure, including schools, water stations, bridges, and markets, which hinder economic recovery and compromise access to essential services.
The war and recent violence have had a devastating impact on Syria’s education system. Many schools have been severely damaged or destroyed, and it is estimated that 25% of children are not attending school. School rehabilitation and psychosocial support for students and teachers are crucial to ensuring the right to education and a dignified future for younger generations.
Protecting the civilian population, particularly the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, and people with disabilities, is another urgent priority. The increasing number of incidents caused by explosive ordnance, gender-based violence, and the lack of access to adequate protection services put millions of lives and dignities at risk.
At CESVI, we are committed to supporting the Syrian population through targeted interventions in the fields of education and protection. We began operating in northwest Syria immediately after the 2023 earthquake. From the outset, we have worked in partnership with Olive Branch, a leading organisation in the fields of education and protection. Together, we have strengthened educational, protection, and psychosocial support services in three internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Afrin and rehabilitated services and infrastructure in four schools in the district of Jisr ash-Shughur, in the northwestern governorate of Idlib.
Following recent developments, a team from CESVI’s emergency unit conducted a needs assessment in the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, As-Sweida, and Dara’a to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the education and protection sectors.
In the education sector, the greatest needs include rehabilitating schools, providing general support to ensure access to both formal and non-formal education, offering psychosocial support for students and teachers, creating safe spaces for children, and supplying educational materials. At the same time, it is essential to safeguard the most vulnerable groups.
In light of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria, we call on all parties involved to:
- Respect international humanitarian law.
- Ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers.
- Protect civilians and guarantee their right to a safe and voluntary return.
- Protect and rebuild civilian infrastructure.
CESVI remains steadfast in its commitment to the Syrian population, with the awareness that only a joint and coordinated intervention by the international community can put an end to this tragedy and secure a future of peace and prosperity for Syria.
Click here to download CESVI’s full report on the situation in Syria.