Middle East

Syria

Food security
Protection
Water, sanitation & hygiene

2008

mission start date

136

national staff

expatriate staff

397 403

people supported

2008

mission start date

136

national staff

expatriate staff

397 403

people supported

Context

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Syria has been facing a multitude of challenges that make it one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crisis. The crisis is now entering in its 13th year, during which the country has lost 42 places on the Human Development Index, and for 2024, the number of estimated people in need is the highest since 2011. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2024, Syria still has the most significant number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the world, with 7.2 million people, many of whom living in overcrowded camps and underserved areas. The February 2023 earthquake that struck Syria further deteriorated the humanitarian situation, increasing the strain on services, causing new wave of displacement, and inflicting widespread damage to the infrastructures, which have been already affected by the prolonged conflict. The dire humanitarian needs of the population caused by continued violence, poverty, lack of access to proper infrastructures and services are compounded the effects of economic deterioration and lack of livelihood opportunities that is further impacting the Syrian population.

Our approach
Description of the mission

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) has been operating in Syria since 2008. Since 2012, it has been one of the few international NGOs authorized to operate in the government-controlled areas, implementing activities in 11 out of 14 governorates. In 2024, PUI continues to implement its integrated strategy in order to meet the multi-sectoral needs of the affected communities in the targeted governorates. PUI provides an emergency response to the affected populations by focusing on the rehabilitation of collective shelters, damaged apartments and access to hygiene and water. In parallel, PUI intervenes in more stabilized areas to create the conditions that will allow the population to provide for themselves and gradually return to normal life, focusing on sustainable approach, early recovery and livelihood interventions.

Première Urgence Internationale
in action

The current operational strategy for Premiere Urgence Internationale in Syria is to alleviate the human suffering of the Syrian population by delivering sound, needs-based humanitarian assistance, while promoting a life-sustaining response.

Based on more than ten years of experience conducting humanitarian operations in Syria, PUI has developed its integrated area-based approach which allow the organisation to apply a multi-sector approach to bring assistance to the affected communities. Every intervention of PUI in Syria is need-based and designed using a bottom-up approach, starting from community consultation and needs, to design the most suitable response.

For 2024, PUI will focus on the following priorities:

Rehabilitation of collective and private shelters,
Rehabilitation of WASH infrastructures (including water systems, sewage networks, and irrigation systems)
Early Recovery and livelihood interventions (including shop rehabilitation, business management trainings and business support, vocational trainings and provision of professional tool kits)
Education support for conflict-affected populations (including remedial classes, school rehabilitation, free exam preparations, summer class activities, community-based initiatives and psychosocial support),
Strengthening Social Cohesion (through capacity building of community committee, and the support of community led initiatives).

Rehabilitation of the Medaani school in rural Damascus. ©Première Urgence Internationale / Luis Atoom 2024

Distribution of agricultural tool kits to small landowners in Izra ©Première Urgence Internationale

Distribution of water tanks in Khan Shaykhun, rural Idleb ©Première Urgence Internationale / Qusay Alshaar 2023

Rehabilitation of a well in Der Salman, rural Damascus ©Première Urgence Internationale / Luis Atoom 2023

Portrait d'Ahed, chef de mission Syrie pour Première Urgence Internationale

Ahed Al Ezzo

Syria Head of Mission © Première Urgence Internationale

“The humanitarian needs in Syria are still very high. Through the projects implemented by PUI, we were able to cover part of it, bringing relief to the most vulnerable population. However, with more support, we will be able to reach even more people in need, implementing more quality projects, and thus we will contribute to improving the quality of life of the Syrian population. ”