By Ayomide Otitoju
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a $56.4 million flash appeal to tackle the worsening health crisis in Syria, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and recent escalations.
Since November 2024, intensified hostilities have displaced over 882,000 people, further destabilizing Syria’s fragile healthcare system. WHO reported 37 attacks on health facilities in the past month, leaving critical infrastructure damaged and ambulances inoperable. Over half of the country’s hospitals remain non-functional, and 141 health facilities in northern Aleppo and Idlib risk closure due to funding shortages.
“This appeal is about safeguarding health and dignity while offering Syrians hope for a safer future,” said Christina Bethke, WHO Representative a.i. for Syria. “Without urgent support, essential facilities could shut down in weeks, with devastating consequences.”
The WHO has been working to address the crisis, providing trauma care, mobile clinic services, immunization programs, and mental health support. Its six-month strategy includes:
Strengthening trauma care: Supplying emergency resources and keeping hospitals operational.
Continuing essential health services: Prioritizing maternal and child healthcare, restoring immunizations, and deploying mobile clinics.
Enhancing outbreak control: Expanding disease surveillance and deploying rapid response teams.
Facilitating patient referrals: Ensuring timely access to critical care.
Coordinating health systems: Partnering with health authorities to streamline responses.
Rosa Crestani, WHO Emergency Lead for the Gaziantep field office, emphasized the organization’s role in delivering aid to an estimated 5 million Syrians. “Our hub in Gaziantep ensures life-saving services, including trauma care and immunizations, reach even the hardest-to-reach areas,” she stated.
The appeal underscores WHO’s commitment to addressing immediate health needs while laying the foundation for long-term recovery in Syria.
