Sida's work in Syria
The long conflict, economic crisis and food shortages have driven millions of people into poverty. The rapid fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 has redrawn the map, while people's major need for support remains. Sweden, through Sida, supports organisations in Syria and neighbouring countries that strengthen resilience during crisis, increase security and improve conditions for people who want to return voluntarily. Sida's humanitarian support alleviates people's most urgent needs.
Sida’s support in Syria (neighboring countries not included) 2024
Why do Sida work in Syria?
Deep crisis and widespread poverty
The protracted conflict in Syria has created a protracted humanitarian crisis where people’s situation is steadily deteriorating. Around 90 per cent of the Syrian population lives in poverty. Lack of healthcare, education, housing and food has pushed people into poverty and unemployment. Wars in Europe and the economic crisis in Lebanon are affecting the price of food and fuel, undermining the economy and fuelling inflation.
The consequences of developments in early December 2024 are currently difficult to see, but in the transition phase Sida continues to work with the international organisations and the UN that can continue to work in areas where it is possible.
Serious violations of human rights
Disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrests under the Assad regime have affected many Syrians, as well as girls and women in both Syria and neighbouring countries who have been subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. Child marriages and forced child labour have been common for families to make a living.
Lack of access to social services
People’s access to basic services such as education, health care, electricity and water is inadequate. Around half of Syria’s population lacks regular access to clean water and electricity.
Examples of what Sida contributes to
Tackling poverty in the region
Sida helps people in Syria and those who have been forced to flee inside and outside Syria to build resilience to crises. Farmers can increase their production through better irrigation and alternative crops and reach markets to sell their products. It also supports small businesses and farmer field schools, which not only create jobs but also improve the resilience of agriculture to climate crises.
Civil society works for human rights
Sida supports civil society and their work for people’s participation, increased respect for human rights and democratic development. Despite ongoing challenges and high risks, Syrian civil society has grown stronger and become an important voice both internationally and locally.
Access to social services
Swedish support has contributed to improved access to water by rehabilitating wells and water systems and improving irrigation facilities for agriculture. Sida has contributed to improving sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls.
Sida's work in Syria
In Syria and neighbouring countries, Sida is strengthening the resilience of the people to the crises and challenges created by the civil war and climate change. Sida also helps to reduce people’s vulnerability to better withstand crisis and conflict. Sida’s humanitarian aid saves lives and alleviates suffering in emergency situations. Sida has no co-operation with or support to state actors.
Humanitarian needs are increasing and many people are displaced. Syria is one of the countries receiving the most humanitarian support in 2025.
Sida’s humanitarian support provides people with access to protection and security, education, health care, and water and sanitation.
Sida works with international humanitarian and civil society organisations and prioritises the people most in need of support.
Sida’s humanitarian support in Syria saves lives and alleviates suffering.
- Norwegian Refugee Council NRC’s website
- Swedish Red Cross’ website
- Islamic Relief’s website
- Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) on UNOCHA website
- Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF) on the UNOCHA website
- Oxfam’s website
- Save the Children’s website
- International Rescue Committee IRC’s website
- Action Against Hunger website
Learn more about Sida’s analysis of the humanitarian crisis, Sida’s support and how much money is distributed to each organisation in Sida’s crisis analysis.
Sida supports organisations that increase the possibility for people in a vulnerable situation, especially women and people forced to flee, to obtain a sustainable livelihood. Sida also helps ensure that people have access to basic social services such as clean water and provides support for women and girls who have been subjected to gender-based violence.
Here is an example of a programme supported by Sida:
Sida supports the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and a programme that strengthens women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health care, as well as combating and preventing gender-based violence and offering protection and support to victims of violence. The programme also provides training for health professionals, works to change harmful practices and norms, and advocates for legislative changes in this field.
Sida supports organisations working to increase respect for human rights and gender equality. Sida contributes to investigations of human rights violations and supports independent media reporting both inside and outside Syria.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
There are serious shortcomings in respect for human rights and women’s rights in particular. Knowledge of human rights is generally low in Syria.
Through support to the organisation Kvinna till Kvinna (Women to Women) and the Euromed Feminist Initiative (EFI), Sida strengthens civil society organisations that combat gender-based violence, strengthen women’s rights and increase gender equality.
The work helps civil society and the population to increase their knowledge of human rights, in particular women’s rights and gender equality.
Among other things, EFI has established an online feminist political academy that has spread throughout the country. The programme strengthens women’s participation and increases their opportunities for influence.
The situation for independent media and journalists is difficult and dangerous. Sida supports Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and International Media Support (IMS), which in turn support around ten Syrian independent media organisations. The programmes promote independent media to ensure that Syrians inside and outside the country have access to fact-based information. Contributing to media development means, for example, developing business plans to increase revenue. Increased digital and physical security and psychosocial support for journalists are other key elements funded by Sida.
Sida supports the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, which promotes the right to education for children from the age of three. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) combats sexual and gender-based violence against women and children. Kvinna till Kvinna (Women to Women) works with support, protection and vocational training for young people and children.
Gross human rights violations are common: people are forcibly displaced, tortured and otherwise abused. There is virtual impunity for abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. International Media Support (IMS) supports organisations working to verify, document and investigate human rights abuses. Its work has contributed to the collection and production of evidence of war crimes used in legal processes.
Development cooperation in Syria is governed by Sweden’s Regional Strategy for the Syria Crisis (024-2026), which also covers the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.
Updated: July 3, 2025