The humanitarian situation in Syria has significantly deteriorated since violence escalated in March, particularly impacting coastal, central, and rural Damascus areas. This violence has caused widespread displacement, disrupted vital sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services, and heightened vulnerabilities, especially among women and girls. Despite the lifting of US and EU sanctions in May 2025, aiming to aid Syria’s reconstruction and humanitarian efforts, challenges such as internal displacement, rising living costs, and infrastructural damage continue to impede access to basic services, exacerbating the exposure to GBV and reproductive health risks.
In response, UNFPA continues to deliver life-saving SRH and GBV interventions across all 14 governorates, reaching over 557,000 individuals between February and April 2025. Services include comprehensive maternal and newborn care, family planning, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and GBV prevention and response activities through static health facilities, mobile teams, women and girls’ safe spaces, and youth-friendly spaces. UNFPA has notably increased its mobile outreach in coastal areas, provided essential supplies such as clean delivery kits, contraceptives, and dignity kits, and supported youth engagement through training and community-driven initiatives.
Financial constraints pose a critical threat to sustaining these services, with UNFPA’s 2025 humanitarian appeal of $71.9 million only 32 per cent funded to date, leaving a gap of approximately $48.9 million. The recent termination of US financial support has severely impacted operational capacities, risking service continuity for nearly 265,000 people who depend on UNFPA-supported facilities. Continued donor contributions and financial support are urgently required to ensure the maintenance and expansion of essential humanitarian activities.
