Syria

Background

Since 2008, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has been a steadfast presence in Syria, upholding dignity and hope in the face of crisis. Our work goes beyond emergency aid—by creating safe spaces grounded in dialogue, respect, and trust, we ensure displaced individuals, especially children, women, and the elderly, receive holistic support to heal and rebuild their lives.

Our volunteers—many of whom have experienced the war themselves—bring deep understanding of their communities’ needs. This shared reality fuels our long-term programmes in education, healthcare, and psychosocial support, helping people not just to survive, but to grow in resilience.

Since the outbreak of war in 2011, JRS has stood with Syrians. We began with a field kitchen in Aleppo, distributing 20,000 hot meals daily at the height of the conflict. Today, our inclusive, community-based approach fosters relationships between those we serve and our staff, laying the foundation for trust and reconciliation.

The Syrian Context

By 2024, Syria’s crisis reached an unprecedented level of severity, impacting millions across the country:

Procrastinated Disasters: The 2023 earthquake affected 8.8 million people, displacing thousands. Ongoing violence since November 2024 has uprooted even more families.
Economic Collapse: Over 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, with 12.9 million facing acute food insecurity. Humanitarian funding met less than 30% of the $4.1B required.
Crumbling Infrastructure: More than 2.4 million children are out of school, and over half of Syria’s hospitals are destroyed or non-functional. Medical staff and supplies are critically limited.
Regional Spillover: Between September and November 2024, approximately 562,000 displaced Lebanese and Syrians crossed into Syria, fleeing Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon—further straining already overstretched resources.
Political Transition: The fall of the Assad regime has stirred both hope for justice and anxiety over the future, creating new challenges for stability.