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) 2025
Why do Sida work in Syria?
Deep crisis and widespread poverty
The protracted conflict in Syria has led to widespread poverty and a continuing dire humanitarian situation with growing needs. Sida is working with international organisations and the UN to support relief efforts wherever possible.
Serious violations of human rights
People in Syria and across the region have long been subjected to serious human rights violations. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, and many households have limited access to a secure livelihood.
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.
The need for humanitarian aid is increasing, and many people are living as refugees. Syria is one of the countries receiving the most humanitarian aid in 2026.
Sida’s humanitarian aid provides people with access to, for example, protection and security, education, healthcare, and water and sanitation.
Sida works with international humanitarian organisations and civil society organisations, prioritising those people most in need of support.
Sida’s humanitarian aid in Syria saves lives and alleviates suffering.
In the humanitarian crisis analysis, you can read about the crisis and see which partner organisations are working there in 2026.
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 (2024-2026), which also covers the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.
Updated: July 3, 2025