Our work in Syria

Overview

The ongoing conflict and widespread presence of landmines and other explosives in Syria have caused many civilian deaths and forced many people to leave their homes repeatedly due to conflict. Since the change in control on 8 December 2024, insecurity and active fighting have persisted, especially in the north-east of the region. This has made it difficult for people to move around and has further damaged important infrastructure like water systems, bridges, markets and community centers.

Access and transportation of humanitarian aid in various regions of Syria remains difficult. Renewed displacement means that an estimated 627,500 people have been newly displaced since 27 November 2024, with the total number of people remaining displaced in Syria now reaching 7.4 million.

Despite these difficulties, more than 501,000 people have returned to their original homes within Syria since December 2024. Some 17 per cent of the affected population have disabilities and are more vulnerable in humanitarian crises. and around 90 per cent of Syria’s population is currently living in poverty.

Our work in Syria

In the face of extreme challenges, Tearfund is supporting Syrians to meet their basic needs and recover emotionally from the trauma they have experienced. Our work with local partner organisations includes the following areas:

• Supporting local churches and partners to deliver life-saving assistance, such as cash support, food parcels, clean water and temporary shelter, to the most vulnerable households.
• Providing psychological support for children and adults, gender-based violence awareness training and staff wellbeing programs to help individuals and service providers recover from the emotional toll of conflict and displacement.
• Reconciled peace-filled societies initiatives and projects.
• Offering vocational training, business development and income-generating grants for young people and adults in poor communities.
• Economic and environmental sustainable projects.
• Collaborating with churches through the Church and Community Transformation (CCT) approach.