Syria’s health crisis persists, but strategic aid offers a way forward
In the incubator department, a nurse gives medication to a newborn patient at Ibn Al-Walid Hospital in Homs. (Mohammed Alloush / HiHFAD)
While the collapse of the Assad government in late 2024 represents a pivotal moment in Syrian history, the humanitarian crisis remains as urgent as ever. The statistics paint a devastating picture: 16.5 million Syrians still require urgent humanitarian assistance, more than half the population remains displaced, and 40% of hospitals and health facilities continue to operate at reduced capacity or remain completely non-functional.
For the millions of Syrians who have endured over a decade of conflict, regime change alone cannot heal wounds that run deep into the country's infrastructure and social fabric. Healthcare systems that were already stretched before the political transition now face the additional challenge of serving populations in newly accessible areas while managing ongoing displacement and resource scarcity.
The power of strategic partnerships
In close collaboration with our local partners Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD) and Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), we have recently delivered another 7,640 kg shipment of life-saving supplies to Northwest Syria. This coordinated shipment will enable more than 1,400 additional ICU days across the region's hospitals and clinics, delivering medical supplies valued at over $308,000, including ICU equipment, oxygen systems, pharmaceuticals, and surgical tools.
Executed at a cost of just $20,000 through our network of local partners and Project C.U.R.E, every dollar spent delivered $15.40 worth of medical supplies to those who needed them most. This multiplication effect demonstrates how strategic partnerships can maximize humanitarian impact while ensuring aid reaches its destination effectively and cost-efficiently.
Medical supplies from the shipment arriving at Ibn Al-walid Hospital, Homs. (Mohammed Alloush / HiHFAD)
Medical supplies from the shipment arriving at Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Latakia. (Majd Okla / HiHFAD)
Navigating complexity with precision
Delivering humanitarian aid in Syria requires navigating challenges that extend far beyond logistics. The recent shipment involved defining precise medical needs with Syrian hospitals, coordinating transportation across volatile regions, filing for exemptions from U.S. sanctions, maintaining quality standards, traceability and providing detailed impact reports.
The success of humanitarian operations often depends on these behind-the-scenes details that rarely make headlines but determine whether aid actually reaches those who need it most.
While immediate medical relief remains critical, organizations working in Syria are increasingly focused on long-term rebuilding efforts. The political shift has opened up access to previously inaccessible areas including Homs, Hama, Damascus, and Aleppo, creating new opportunities for lasting impact.
Some of our current initiatives in these regions include:
Energy independence for healthcare: Solarizing two Syrian health clinics to reduce dependence on unreliable diesel supplies and ensure uninterrupted patient care.
Continued medical support: Another high-impact medical shipment is currently in the process, tailored to meet shifting needs on the ground.
Regional support: Continuing assistance to Syrian refugees in neighboring countries like Lebanon, helping bridge gaps in essential services such as healthcare and education.
These efforts recognize that effective humanitarian work must evolve beyond emergency response to address root causes and build sustainable systems.
Hasnaa Abdel-Moati, 3 years old, receives medical care at the Children's Specialized Hospital in Latakia. (Majd Al-waleed / HiHFAD)
A baby receives medical care in an incubator at Ibn al-Walid Hospital in Homs. (Mohammed Alloush / HiHFAD)
What lies ahead
As Syria navigates its uncertain transition, the collapse of the Assad regime has created new possibilities for access and partnership, but fundamental challenges persist for millions who continue to need healthcare, shelter and basic services.
This recent medical supply delivery demonstrates that effective humanitarian work is possible even in challenging circumstances. But for Syria's healthcare workers who have maintained hospitals throughout years of conflict, consistent access to medical supplies remains critical. Their dedication, combined with international support, offers hope for accessible healthcare across Syria.
At the end of the day, the story of Syria's recovery will be written through small steps and their accumulated impact: supplies delivered, global communal strength and systems rebuilt.
Want to take part in making a lasting impact in Syria's recovery?
Learn more about our work in Syria and consider donating or partnering with us.
The nurse prepares and dispenses medications from the arrived shipment to a patient at Ibn Al-Walid Hospital. (Mohammed Alloush / HiHFAD)
