Humanitarian Assistance; UNHCR; Syria

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland supports UNHCR’s activities in Syria and in the region with 2 million euros. The war in Syria, which has continued for 11 years, has led to the world’s largest refugee crisis with 5.7 million Syrian refugees living in the neighboring countries of Syria and with 6.9 million IDPs inside Syria. Although many communities in different parts of Syria have experienced an improvement in the security situation over the past year, security concerns remain and insecurity in some places of the country has caused new population movements. Over the past year, the devaluation of the Syrian pound, a significant increase in commodity prices, a shortage of fuel together with the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly weakened the everyday lives of Syrians. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR provides protection, coordinates refugee camp operations and distributes material and cash assistance. UNHCR also helps refugees to access clean water and sanitation. UNHCR also provides refugees with psychosocial support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR has supported hospitals and other health services in areas inhabited by refugees.