UN to assist 10.3 million people in Syria’s most vulnerable areas

DARAMSUQ, Syria – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a statement announcing the extension of humanitarian response priorities for this year in Syria. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula called for $3.19 billion in funding to support 10.3 million people in need until December 2025.

The OCHA declared that this extension of humanitarian priorities primarily targets areas facing the most severe conditions, classified under levels 4 and 5 of severity, indicating catastrophic situations. Level 4 is just 1 step below famine, which is classified as level 5.

It emphasized the need for $2.7 billion to address urgent needs for approximately 8.2 million people in a country with a collapsed economy, destroyed infrastructure and a majority of its population living below the poverty line as defined by the UN.

Abdelmoula added that this is the first such extension developed in Syria through close consultation with partners and authorities, demonstrating their continued commitment to the Syrian people. 

This announcement comes amid a severe funding shortfall.   The UN has so far secured only 11% of the required funds to meet Syrians’ needs. In 2024, just 36.6% of Syria’s humanitarian response plan was funded, one of the lowest levels since the war began.