Johanniter in Syria
- We have been active in Syria since 2012. We stepped up our support after the earthquakes in 2023 and continue our projects after the fall of the Assad regime.
- Sectors: Health, Food Security and Livelihoods
- How we help: Emergency Response, Humanitarian Aid, Early Recovery
- Target groups: Earthquake affected Population, Internati Dosplaced Persons (IDPs) and Host Communities
- Partners: BAHAR, MAPS, ORANGE
Needs and Context
After 13 years of war and more than half a century of brutal rule by the al-Assad family, Assad was overthrown by rebels at the beginning of December 2024. Mohammed al-Bashir leads the new transitional government, with elections scheduled for March 2025. Nobody currently knows where the country is heading and what this means for the work of aid organisations.
The fact is, however, that the humanitarian situation in the country is devastating. More than 70 per cent of the population is dependent on aid. 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line. Around 12 million people are displaced as a result of the conflicts inside and outside the country. The civilian infrastructure has been destroyed and bombed over the years. Russian and Syrian airstrikes recently hit hospitals in Idlib and Aleppo. Many civilians are dependent on water deliveries by lorry or distribution by aid organisations. In addition, on 6 February 2023, severe earthquakes with magnitudes of up to 7.8 and numerous aftershocks occurred in south-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria. Tens of thousands of people died and tens of thousands were injured.
Together with our local partners BAHAR, MAPS and ORANGE, we are there for the people in the country who need support in a variety of ways.
Johanniter's Interventions in Syria
Johanniter, supports it's partners BAHAR and MAPS to provide aid to the populations most affected by the earthquake. The national partners delivered thousands of hot meals, fuel for hospitals, rehabilitation material for hundreds of damaged houses and apartments, vouchers, unconditional cash, and cash for work. This aid was implemented in Northwest Syria (Afrin, Jindires) and targeted Syrians and minorities affected by the earthquake in that region.
With our partner BAHAR, we are now supporting people with income generating activities in the short term through a cash-for-work programme for the benefit of the communities. In the long term, the aim is to make particularly needy women and men become more self-sufficient.
The earthquake also destroyed important infrastructure. Johanniter supported BAHAR rebuilding damaged water tanks, supply roads and canals, thereby improving the living conditions of 7000 people.
Turkey after the earthquakes
Johanniter also supported people in Turkey who lost their homes after the earthquakes in February 2023.