The following is a statement from Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, ahead of the Syria/Türkiye earthquake pledging conference hosted in Brussels on March 20th.
News release 20 March 2023 Syria

Geneva (ICRC)—Millions of people in Syria today depend on humanitarian assistance. That lifeline is dangerously at risk of fraying if the international community does not support Syria to the level that it needs.

Syria deserves the world’s solidarity and support. People have survived 12 years of grinding conflict in which people lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes. For those in northwest of the country, the earthquake that struck last month left communities shaken and triggered a new wave of devastation.

The scale and depth of needs in Syria today are vast. More families are struggling to have enough to eat in a country that is already listed among the world’s most food insecure. People increasingly struggle to have safe drinking water as more than 50% of Syria’s water and sanitation systems no longer fully function. Many do not have access to medical care.

Despite these staggering needs, which have deepened after the February earthquake, our work in Syria is heavily under-funded. Last year, it was our most under-funded operation globally. Our hope is that donors increase their support so that communities in Syria receive the help they need and deserve.