How we’re supporting people in Syria
We are providing shelter for families who have been forced to leave their homes due to the conflict in Syria.
16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance.
More than 450,000 people in the region have received ShelterBox aid since we first responded to the crisis in December 2012. This makes it the largest, most sustained response in our history.
We have been working in Syria since 2012. Since then, we have also offered shelter and household items to Syrian refugee households in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Greece.
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Where is Syria?
Syria is located in southwestern Asia, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel. Syria is made up of fertile plains, high mountains, and deserts. It is home to some of the world’s oldest cities, with a rich archaeology.
Our responses in Syria
We’ve been supporting people in Northwest and Northeast Syria.
We’re currently evaluating and planning for upcoming projects with our partner to support more people. An audit of a cash assistance (CVA) pilot is also being carried out by Supply Chain. These findings will be used to inform our next project.
Over the winter, we’ve been providing thermal blankets, carpets and mattresses, as well as warm winter clothing and shoes to support people through the bitterly cold months. We’ve also been distributing tarpaulins and rope to help keep shelters watertight.
Northeast Syria
Northeastern Syria has endured the brunt of the conflict, leaving countless families vulnerable. Winters are harsh, unpredictable, and extreme. Temperatures often drop below freezing, making survival without proper support nearly impossible.
To support people through winter, our project assisted 1,700 long-term displaced households. We’ve offered shelter repair kits, winter clothing, blankets and essential household items. This supported people to survive the freezing winter months.
Northwest Syria
In Northwest Syria, more than 2.8 million people have fled their homes in search of safety. Among them, 1.7 million are struggling to survive in overcrowded displacement camps.
While a ceasefire in 2020 brought brief hope, daily bombings in Idlib continue to threaten lives. Shelter is a huge challenge for people here. Their tents are often old, torn, and unable to protect against harsh conditions. Leaking when it rains, lacking space for belongings, and growing damp and freezing cold. 93% of the tents have outlived their lifespan, leaving people exposed to bitter winters.
Warm shelter isn’t a luxury – it’s a lifeline. Without it, people face the deadly cold of the winter months. That’s why our latest project focused on supporting people through the winter. We’ve reached 1,700 households, providing not just shelter, but also blankets and warm clothes for children. Together, we’re helping families stay safe and warm during the harshest season.
What challenges are people facing in Syria?
Financial crisis
Financially, Syria is on its knees. Currency depreciation and widespread sanctions affect the flow of money coming into the country.
Basics like fuel, food and medicines are now out of reach for people who were already struggling to access them.
Extreme weather
Syria faces extreme heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter. The country is vulnerable to drought, wildfires, and flooding, as well as earthquakes.
The cold weather poses a significant risk to life. Winters in northern Syria are long, harsh, and unpredictable. Temperatures regularly drop below freezing between December and March.
Ongoing violence
Although the large-scale violence seems to have settled after the fall of the Assad regime in December, 2024, localised violence continues. Read about the Syrian conflict here.
Working with partners
Our partners help us provide aid in some of the most remote and dangerous conflict zones around the world.
In Syria, we’re working with ReliefAid and Bahar Organisation to get our aid to those who need it the most.
But what motivates these extraordinary individuals to risk their lives to deliver aid in such dangerous circumstances?
Meet Bana, 27, a humanitarian aid worker in Idlib for the last five years. She works for our partner ReliefAid and is the only woman in the team. She tells us about what keeps her motivated as a humanitarian when conflict is so close to home.
Living and working in Idlib, Syria
How can you help?
13 years of conflict has left millions of Syrian people homeless. You can make a difference.
