Dear friend,
For more than a decade, Syria has faced incredible hardship that displaced 7.4 million people and left 16 million needing humanitarian assistance. They’ve endured violence, natural disasters, displacement, hunger, disease, and many more challenges.
However, the fall of Syria’s previous regime in December has presented both a glimmer of hope for the future and a sense of uncertainty for what’s to come.
I lead Mercy Corps programs in Syria, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges facing families across the country. This update offers a look at the long road to recovery and the ways Mercy Corps is helping communities rebuild.
As Syria grappled with limited access to food and water scarcity, farmers and working families had very little means to grow their crops or put food on the table. Worsening drought and rising food prices exacerbated the hunger crisis in parts of the country. Meanwhile, many Syrians sheltering in camps have visited their neighborhoods only to find their homes completely destroyed.
To help families withstand these challenges, Mercy Corps teams are providing emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene services in dozens of IDP camps in the northwest region of the country.
In 2022, for example, Mercy Corps installed solar panels to supply energy to village water tanks in northeast Syria. These new panels supplied a dependable source of power — improving access to water for families and farmers alike.
In February of 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Syria, killing tens of thousands of people and injuring even more. Key infrastructure was damaged, and countless families were suddenly without a home and exposed to the harsh winter conditions.
Mercy Corps teams quickly mobilized to deliver urgent relief, emergency kits, and essential supplies to families. Emergency kits included blankets, mattresses, solar lamps, padlocks, and more. Our team also conducted rehabilitation projects to repair water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructures in facilities like schools and centers.
In 2024, Mercy Corps reached over 1.5 million people — meeting their immediate needs and providing longer-term recovery support. Despite the challenges ahead, our humanitarian community now has a unique opportunity to deliver desperately needed aid to Syrians to provide support to ensure families return home, children return to school, and livelihoods improve. Our teams are working side-by-side with Syrian communities for a stable and brighter future.
Take a moment to learn more about Syria’s new beginning.
With support from people like you, Mercy Corps is able to provide all the resources necessary to support war-stricken countries like Syria and many others. Thank you for being part of our community.
Sincerely,
Mathieu Rouquette
Syria Country Director
Mercy Corps
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