Context and 2023 Main Updates
-
As the crisis approaches its 14th year, Syria’s humanitarian needs becomes higher than ever been due to the long-lasting conflict, massive displacement, the devastating earth-quakes in February 2023 and the declining economic situation. This has also impacted the country’s health system, causing disruptions, limited functionality, and recurring disease outbreaks.
-
The prolonged instability has greatly impacted the functionality of Syria’s healthcare infrastructure. According to WoS HeRAMS 2023-Q4 data, 35% of public hospitals and 48% of primary healthcare facilities are either partially or not functional.
-
In 2023, 15.3 million persons in need of health support was estimated across Syria (72% of the population), a 25% increase from 2022), with the health sector targeting for 11.5 million and a total funding requirement of 628 million USD.
-
Recurrent disease outbreaks, waterborne diseases, a prolonged drought and water crisis, vaccine-preventable illnesses, and food insecurity are con-tributing to rising mortality and morbidity and increased humanitarian needs.
-
Due to the poor hygiene and sanitation and limited access to the clean water, there has been a significant increase in water borne diseases. A Chol-era outbreak announced by MoH Syria in September 2022 continued throughout in 2023. As of 21st Oct-2023, 217,512 suspected AWD cases includ-ing 106 associated deaths (Fatality rate 0.05%) were reported at WoS level.
-
The regional hostilities and instability have exacerbated the situation and since Oct 2023 an increase in airstrikes have been reported across the country.
-
Health sector partners in Syria continue to provide life-saving essential health services, although financial constraints hinder efforts to meet the pop-ulation’s demands. Moreover acute water diarrhea (AWD)/cholera, leishmaniosis, measles, severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), lice and scabies, meningitis, and hepatitis A are among the major public health issues to which the WoS health sector has responded to in 2023. Key achieve-ments by the health sector partners are presented below.