

Emergency aid for refugees, internally displaced persons and people affected by the earthquake
In 2024, around 16.7 million people in Syria will need humanitarian aid, which is 70 per cent of the total population. Compared to 2022, this is an increase of 1.4 million people. Syria is suffering from multiple conflicts, exacerbated by the global climate crisis as well as regional and worldwide crises such as the economic collapse in Lebanon, the COVID-19 pandemic and declining donations. These factors are making the situation even more difficult.
The severe earthquake on the Turkish-Syrian border on 6 February 2023 also caused great suffering and destruction for the people of Syria. HEKS/EPER has been active in the affected areas in northern Syria for years and responded quickly. Just a few hours after the earthquake, HEKS/EPER and its local partner organisations organised shelters and emergency aid for thousands of families.
The escalation in Lebanon, which began in September 2024, has greatly increased the number of Syrian returnees and Lebanese refugees seeking protection in Syria. According to the UNHCR report, more than 440,000 people have fled from Lebanon to Syria since the start of the conflict, and this number is expected to rise further. The regions most affected are Aleppo, the rural areas of Damascus and Hama, followed by Damascus, Lattakia, Tartus and, more recently, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. The refugees are mainly being taken in by local communities that are reliant on already overburdened and damaged infrastructure, which makes humanitarian aid even more difficult.
Unstable security situation and great poverty
Syria has been in an ongoing conflict since 2011, which has caused major damage to key infrastructure. This has led to poverty, food insecurity and a resurgence in water-related diseases. The recent earthquake has exacerbated the situation and severely affected the water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, making access to basic goods such as food, labour and clean water more difficult. These problems further exacerbate the already fragile infrastructure and economic situation.
Emergency aid for those affected by the earthquake in Syria
The devastating earthquake has plunged the people on the Turkish-Syrian border into even greater misery. HEKS/EPER not only carried out immediate measures directly after the earthquake but is also actively involved in the long-term recovery and stabilization of the war-torn country. The focus here is on rebuilding the infrastructure and economic resilience.

HEKS/EPER in Syria
HEKS/EPER has been working with local partner organisations in Syria since 2017 and opened a country office in 2021 to provide humanitarian aid. Since 2022, support has focussed on the sustainable restoration of key services. There are three priorities: 1. food security by repairing public bakeries, 2. improving the drinking water supply and 3. job creation by integrating vulnerable people into the labour market. On this basis, HEKS/EPER is implementing humanitarian projects to help people in the areas affected by the earthquake in northern Syria - Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus - as well as in the Rif Dimashq (greater Damascus area) and Deraa regions.
In view of the growing challenges in Syria, HEKS/EPER is focussing on the following activities:
- Access to clean water and sanitary facilities: HEKS/EPER improves the water supply and renovates sanitary facilities in order to combat water-related diseases. The measures have so far reached 898,000 people and also included solar systems and hygiene training.
- Food security: HEKS/EPER strengthens the supply of bread by reorganising bakeries, equipping them with solar panels and supporting mills. This benefited 2,385,000 people.
- Support for vulnerable groups: HEKS/EPER promotes the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, particularly people with disabilities and vulnerable women, to improve their resilience and quality of life. In total, 405,000 people benefited from livelihood programmes
As the humanitarian situation in Syria is becoming increasingly difficult, HEKS/EPER must take a step-by-step approach. The focus is on stabilising the situation before major changes can be made. To ensure that the three central areas (water, bread and labour) work well together and are in line with the objectives of lobbying, HEKS/EPER is implementing certain measures. It is therefore a question of first ensuring stability in the current crisis with the following programme:
- Situational response to acute emergencies, such as the care of refugees, returnees:inside and people affected by migration.
- Introducing an area-based approach to improve key infrastructure that benefits the entire population.
- Support livelihood projects and work closely with the public sector to ensure that people's basic needs are effectively met
Last updated: November 2024