Syria

Syria is currently in the early recovery phase after more than a decade of conflict, sanctions, mass displacement, and natural disasters. According to the United Nations, 16.7 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2025, including 15.8 million in need of urgent medical support. Over 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, and millions depend on aid for food, water, and healthcare. The economy has contracted by more than 80% since 2010, while inflation and unemployment remain high. Water scarcity and recurring droughts increase the risk of waterborne diseases. The expected return of approximately 2 million refugees over the next two years will further strain the already weakened health system.

The war in Syria has devastated the healthcare system and dramatically worsened living conditions. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime does not mark the end of the Syrian crisis. The consequences of the conflict will be felt for many years. The healthcare system has been severely weakened. In 2021, the life expectancy in Syria was 72.4 years, still below pre-conflict levels. Non-communicable diseases account for 75% of deaths, mainly cardiovascular diseases and cancer, while injuries, including war-related and traffic accidents, account for 11%. Communicable diseases, perinatal complications, and malnutrition account for approximately 13% of deaths. Among children and infants, congenital anomalies and lower respiratory infections remain significant.

The resilience of the health system is limited by fragmented data and a lack of comprehensive epidemiological surveillance. Vaccination coverage is incomplete, increasing the risk of outbreaks. For example, cutaneous leishmaniasis remains endemic in Aleppo, Idlib, and Al-Hasakeh.