Emergency Response to the Wildfires in Latakia

Hayat, a 65-year-old woman from Karafellahli, explained how the fire affected her and her community: “I will never forget how the fires came from all directions. We tried to put them out and save our houses. Even with all our efforts, many houses were burned.” 

“It’s a tragedy we see with our own eyes every day, and that makes it even harder to forget,” a community member shared about the hard days during the wildfire, recalling how the people in Latakia saw houses, land, olive groves, and crops destroyed. Affected communities were left devastated as the flames consumed their memories and livelihoods, which are their main source of income. 

The wildfire affected whole communities already facing harsh economic realities, leaving them struggling to recover. 

To support affected families, DRC, with support from the European Union, provided  cash assistance to those impacted. This support was based on needs identified by the affected communities during the rapid assessment stage. Hayat and other community members shared that the cash assistance received was highly appreciated, as many had lost everything and were in urgent need of support.  Community members reported using the assistance for various purposes, including meeting urgent needs and restoring agricultural equipment on their land.

Additionally, the affected community appreciated the Psychological First Aid provided by DRC’s protection team, who offered counselling and psychosocial support to families affected by the fire, providing emotional comfort amid the crisis they faced.