Syria used to be a country with a rich history and vibrant cities, but years of war have left it in ruins. After more than ten years of conflict, the country is still trying to pick up the pieces, and no one knows what the future holds.
Millions of Syrians continue to face extreme hardships every day. They don’t have access to basic needs like food, clean water, and healthcare, while many have lost their homes and livelihoods. The crisis is one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time.
In this blog, we’ll get into the challenges the people of Syria are facing, why humanitarian aid is so important, and what you can do to help.
History of Syria – From Then To Now
As mentioned in the introduction, Syria was once a thriving nation in the Middle East, that was well-known for its rich history and heritage. It was home to ancient cities like Damascus, which is among the oldest cities in the world that people have continuously lived in as well as Aleppo, which is famous for its bustling markets and beautiful architecture. The country had a unique mix of cultures, religions, and traditions, thanks to its long history as a crossroads for civilizations like the Romans and Arabs.
Before 2011, Syria was home to over 22 million people. Many people lived in cities that were hubs of trade and culture. The economy mainly depended on agriculture, oil, and tourism. While there were challenges now and then, Syria was generally seen as a stable country through much of the 20th century. However, everything changed in 2011 with the start of the Syrian Civil War.
The war began with peaceful protests during the Arab Spring, where people demanded more freedom and an end to corruption. But things escalated quickly when the government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, responded with force, and the country was thrown into a devastating conflict.
The Syrian Civil War
The Syrian Civil War has been devastating, leaving a lasting impact on the country. The conflict in Syria began with protests against an authoritarian government and quickly escalated into a violent struggle involving numerous factions, including the Syrian government, opposition groups, Kurdish forces, and ISIS.
Over the years, entire cities have been destroyed, infrastructure has crumbled, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The war has taken more than 500,000 lives and has led to it being one of the biggest humanitarian crises in recent history. Different groups now control various parts of Syria, and years of fighting have destroyed the economy. The country is still in chaos, with no clear end to the conflict.
The Impact of the War on Syrian Citizens
The war in Syria has left millions of people in desperate need of help. Entire communities have been destroyed, and many have been forced to leave their homes, either staying within Syria or seeking refuge in nearby countries like Turkey, Lebanon, as well as Jordan.
For people who are still living in Syria, life has become incredibly difficult. Basic things like food, clean water, and medical care are hard to find. Moreover, due to the conflict, hospitals and clinics are in ruins, and many medical workers are either leaving or dying. Because of this, preventable diseases are spreading, and there’s a lot of malnutrition, especially among children.
Food has become another huge problem. Because of the war, most people who used to engage in agriculture, could not farm, and the economic situation has made it hard for families to afford even the basics. Many people now rely on humanitarian aid just to get by, and food insecurity is widespread, with many families only able to get a few small, low-nutrition meals each day.
The Role of Humanitarian Aid in Syria’s Crisis
Humanitarian aid has been crucial in providing support to those in need in Syria who have been affected due to the crises. Organizations like the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and a number of NGOs have been working hard to provide food, medical care, clean water, shelter, and education to the people there.
Without humanitarian aid, the situation for Syrians would be even worse. These organizations are helping displaced families by ensuring they have access to basics – food, clean water and medical care. In refugee camps, they offer shelter and sanitation to keep diseases from spreading. Their help is essential to keeping people alive and safe in such tough times.
Food aid, in particular, has been super helpful. With much of Syria’s farming destroyed, importing food has become the main way to keep people fed. These groups work with local officials to make sure food gets to the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
As far as healthcare and medical care are concerned, humanitarian aid has been just as helpful. Because Syria’s healthcare system has collapsed, a lot of people are unable to undergo the treatments they so urgently need. Moreover, their hospitals have either been destroyed or converted into military sites, due to which people don’t know where they should go to seek treatment and medical care. Looking at this situation, organizations on the ground have set up mobile clinics as well as field hospitals so that medical care can be provided to those in need.
The crisis has negatively impacted education as well. Schools have been destroyed and many children have been displaced, which has impacted their education. However, organizations have set up temporary schools in camps, because of which children are able to continue their education. Education is super important for the children of Syria, now more than ever, as they will be the generation that takes their country forward. Education is more than just providing them with textbooks or about learning subjects. They need to be given access to tools which can help rebuild their country, heal the scars of war, and create a better life for themselves and their families. By continuing their education now, they’ll have a better chance of contributing to Syria’s recovery when things have calmed down.
The Psychological Impact of The Crisis in Syria
The mental health effects of the Syrian conflict are often overlooked, but they have been devastating. Years of violence, displacement, and loss have taken a huge toll on the population, especially when it comes to mental health. Many Syrians, particularly children, have experienced unimaginable trauma—witnessing violence, losing loved ones, or being forced to flee their homes. Because of all this, mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD have become widespread.
For children, the situation is even worse. Many have only known a life marked by fear and violence. Without safe spaces, access to education, or proper mental health care, these children are especially vulnerable. The psychological scars from this war will last for years, if not possibly forever.
Humanitarian organizations have realized that mental health is just as important as offering medical treatments to those in need. Therapy, counseling, and trauma recovery are super important when it comes to helping Syrians begin to heal. For children, providing spaces where they can talk about their experiences and get emotional support is a crucial step in their recovery process.
How Your Donations Can Help
The situation in Syria is heartbreaking, but there’s hope—and it starts with people like you. Every dollar you donate can make a world of difference for families in desperate need. From providing medical help to offering food and clean water, your donation can help organizations working on the ground to support those in need.
- Medical Help
Syria’s healthcare system is strained due to the years of conflict. Many hospitals are overwhelmed or even destroyed, due to which countless people don’t have anywhere to go in case they need medical care. Your donations will help humanitarian organizations provide essential medical supplies, first aid kits, vaccines, and life-saving treatments to those in need. For many people, this could be the difference between life and death. Your support will make sure that children, the elderly, and vulnerable adults get the care they deserve.
- Hygiene and Clean Water
Besides medical care, access to clean water and hygiene is a major issue. With much of the country’s infrastructure destroyed, many families are living without basic sanitation, due to which a number of preventable diseases are spreading there. With your help, humanitarian organizations can provide hygiene kits, clean drinking water, and essential sanitation supplies.
- Food and Nutrition
Right now, millions of Syrians are going to bed on an empty stomach. Many families can’t afford to feed themselves, let alone provide enough food for their children. Your donations will help humanitarian organizations provide food to the people there. This support will help prevent malnutrition, especially for children, and allow families to focus on rebuilding their lives rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from.
- Shelter and Basic Necessities
Due to years of conflict in Syria, countless people have been forced to flee their homes. Many of them have been living in overcrowded camps or makeshift shelters. Your donations will help humanitarian organizations provide shelter, blankets, clothing, and other basic necessities to these families. It’s a small step, but it’s an important one toward giving them some stability and a sense of normalcy.
Of course, it will take a long time for Syrians to rebuild their country and for families to get back on their feet. However, every dollar you donate will go a long way in helping them get there. Because of your donation, families will be able to rebuild their lives and heal from everything they have experienced.
Conclusion
You may be wondering, “How can I help?” It is easy to help. It doesn’t matter how much you are able to donate, every little bit goes a long way. Supporting humanitarian organizations who are working on the ground to help people in Syria is an excellent way to help, and you can do so from your homes. By donating to fundraisers like these on equalall, you will be helping vulnerable families heal and rebuild their futures.