Middle East
Syria
With over 14.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, Syria remains one of the largest, and most complex, aid responses in the world. DRC began its work in Syria in 2008, supporting refugees from the conflict in neighbouring Iraq, and from 2012 has supported those millions of Syrians affected by the devastating conflict across their country.
Displacement trends
Source: | DRC Foresight
Displacement Trends
Definitions
EDPs: Refugees under UNHCR’s mandate
IDPs: Internally displaced persons
Asylum seekers: People whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined
Stateless: People not considered as nationals by any State
HST: People living in Host Communities
OIP: Others in need of International Protection
OOC: Others of Concern
Forecast
DRC forecasts are based on a machine learning tool that has been developed to predict forced displacement (IDPs, refugees and asylum seekers) at the national level 1-3 years into the future.
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Why we are there
The Syrian crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world. Millions of Syrians have been displaced across international borders and within Syria there remain over 5.5m displaced people.
People’s homes have been heavily damaged and destroyed, and vital public infrastructure is not fully functioning.
Working with our country office in Damascus, DRC continues to support people in need, with a focus on communities affected by displacement.
As the economic situation worsens, many families find themselves with no option but to return to live in heavily destroyed areas, with a high risk of encountering landmines and other remnants of war.
What we do
Having a safe and secure place to live is a basic right, and one that provides dignity for families. DRC works to repair people’s homes so they have a safe and warm space to live, while also repairing community infrastructure including schools and water pipes.
In addition, DRC’s economic recovery programme aims to restore people’s opportunities to earn an income and develop their self-reliance.
Our protection programme additionally includes elements of mine risk education and clearance of mines and other ordnances, which is desperately needed across Syria.
DRC’s vision is to improve the safety, dignity, and resilience of conflict-affected populations by providing life-saving assistance and working towards sustainable long-term solutions. To that end, DRC continuously advocates for comprehensive and durable solutions for the displaced, and maintains UNHCR’s position that the conditions inside Syria are not conducive for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees to Syria.
Working in collaboration with
Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
UNHCR
Contact
Kavita
Shukla
Country Director - Syria Office