For almost fourteen years, Syria has been torn apart by conflict. The devastation is everywhere: bombed-out cities, ruined infrastructure, and shattered lives. Since 2021, a years-long drought has ravaged the country’s agricultural systems, making it hard for families make any income from farming or even to get enough to eat. In 2023, the country was further devastated by two massive earthquakes, which killed nearly 6,000 people and displaced another 600,000.
Yet, despite the grim headlines, there’s a new chapter in Syria’s story.
On Dec. 8, 2024, Turkish-backed opposition forces seized control of Damascus, overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad. But while the political landscape may be changing, the humanitarian crisis in Syria is far from over.
The situation in the country remains highly volatile. More than 16.7 million Syrians—over 70% of the population—depend on international aid. Nearly 12 million have been forced from their homes, seeking safety within Syria or in neighboring countries. Women and children bear the brunt of this crisis in overcrowded camps with uncertain access to food, water, and electricity. The collapse of essential services like healthcare and education leaves women and children particularly vulnerable to both physical dangers and limited future opportunities.