MEDECINS DU MONDE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK STRENGTHENS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ACROSS SYRIA

Following the recent power change in Syria and the rapidly evolving national and regional context, Médecins du Monde International Network 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 thousands of casualties and millions of people displaced 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 International Network 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.

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.

Médecıns du Monde Calls on All Partıes to Respect Human Rıghts and Facılıtate Humanıtarıan Assıstance

We urge all parties to respect the human rights of the Syrian people and facilitate humanitarian assistance for the 16.7 million people who need it. As the situation in Syria is strongly connected to regional issues, we call on all parties to cease hostilities and protect communities exhausted by years of intense conflict. Civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, must be protected and never targeted. They are vital for the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian access must be respected, facilitating the access of health workers including non-medical personnel.

As humanitarian and security conditions remain insufficient to ensure the safe return of Syrians living abroad, we call on states to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, maintain asylum procedures for Syrian nationals, and refrain from deportations to Syria, respecting individuals’ right to decide their future.