2/23/2025
Relief Web, the platform of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), published the "Multi-Sectoral Rapid Needs Assessment in Syria" study in both Arabic and English. This study was prepared by a highly experienced team from Qatar Charity, which includes representatives from all recognized humanitarian sectors.
The study holds significant importance for several reasons, especially as the work on it began shortly after December 8, 2024, marking key changes in Syria. It covered highly significant areas, including the capital and major industrial cities, as well as large population centers, due to the immense needs in these regions. Many villages and cities in these areas were found to be almost destroyed across all sectors.
The field team responsible for the study made significant efforts to directly assess the situation inside cities, meet available officials, and collaborate with civil society organizations, despite the challenges they faced, including difficulties in accessing targeted areas, the incomplete structure of administrative teams linked to the new government, and challenges in obtaining information from sources.
According to the study preparation team, it should not be considered a comprehensive report covering all of Syria’s geography, as a comprehensive needs study would require several months and the cooperation of multiple teams. However, it is part of ongoing efforts to assess humanitarian needs in Syria, with the aim of providing a comprehensive response that addresses the needs of the most affected populations.
The study's team acknowledged the difficult humanitarian situation in Syria, which poses significant challenges to both assessment and implementation operations. Nonetheless, they emphasized that the study relies on international best practices and field assessment tools to prioritize needs across various sectors, including food security, health, education, water and sanitation, protection, and shelter. The findings reflect fruitful collaboration between field actors, humanitarian partners, government agencies, and the local community, which contributed with its opinions and experiences to ensure the accuracy and realism of the information provided.
The study concludes with recommendations aimed at enhancing the humanitarian response and addressing the needs of targeted groups effectively on two levels: short-term (3 to 12 months), which includes urgent interventions to address immediate needs discovered through the assessment, such as providing basic materials, improving health and shelter services, and ensuring access to clean water; and long-term (1 to 5 years), which includes strengthening coordination with local partners to ensure a comprehensive and rapid response to crises, developing strategic plans focusing on building community resilience to crises, supporting sustainable development projects, improving basic infrastructure, and investing in building the capacity of local teams and partners to enhance future responses and provide sustainable solutions.
Relief Web is the largest humanitarian information portal in the world and an independent information service designed specifically to help the international humanitarian community deliver emergency aid effectively.
Link to the study on Relief Web: Multi-Sectoral Rapid Needs Assessment in Syria - December 2024 [EN/AR] - Syrian Arab Republic | ReliefWe