The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is coordinating with charitable associations and non-governmental organizations to deliver urgent assistance to displaced families affected by the recent snow and rainstorm that swept through camps in northern Syria, causing widespread damage to already fragile living conditions.
Tens of Thousands of Families Affected
During a coordination meeting at the ministry’s headquarters, officials reviewed updated assessments showing the scale of the disaster. Nearly 120,000 families were affected in Idlib Governorate, alongside more than 60,000 families in rural Aleppo and around 500 families in Hama countryside.
The identified needs include emergency financial assistance, food and water supplies, heating materials, sanitation repairs, and support for health and education services. Special attention was also given to widows and orphans. Participants agreed to dispatch an aid convoy within the coming days as an initial response.
Emphasis on Improvements and Coordination and Field Assessment
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Qabawat stressed that an effective response requires close coordination between government institutions and civil society organizations to ensure rapid and targeted aid delivery.
She underscored the importance of conducting field visits to assess actual needs on the ground, noting that emergency relief should ultimately contribute to durable solutions and the safe return of displaced families to their home areas. Mahmoud al-Khatib, Director of Social Affairs in Damascus, affirmed the directorate’s readiness to provide logistical and coordination support to facilitate relief efforts.
Representatives of participating charities and NGOs highlighted the need to streamline administrative procedures, particularly for aid entering through border crossings. They stressed the importance of accurate data ensuring assistance reaches the most vulnerable.
Safwan al-Hamawi, Treasurer of the Union of Associations in Damascus, proposed securing prefabricated, modular housing units as a practical emergency shelter solution that could be rapidly deployed in future disasters.
A Crisis Deepened by Extreme Weather
The storm has significantly worsened an already dire humanitarian situation. In Idlib alone, over 650,000 displaced people live across 35 camps, many of which suffered severe damage due to flooding, strong winds, and snow accumulation. Numerous tents collapsed or were destroyed, leaving families exposed to harsh winter conditions and reinforcing the need for an immediate, coordinated humanitarian response.
