The Origins of Syria’s Crisis
The Syrian refugee crisis began in March 2011 when public demonstrations against the government of President Bashar al-Assad were met with violent repressions. Protesters initially called for political reforms and greater freedom but this resulted in a violent response by government security forces and quickly escalated into a civil war. Thirteen years later, the conflict is ongoing with Syrians who fled their home and more than 16.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
The Catastrophe and Devastation
The Syrian war has precipitated into one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. According to the United Nations, over 400,000 people have been killed, and more than half of the pre-war population of 22 million has been displaced. Approximately 6.8 million Syrians are internally displaced, and 5.6 million have fled to seek refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.
In addition, Syria’s economy has been devastated by the ongoing conflict. Infrastructure ranging from schools, hospitals, and residential areas has been destroyed. Poverty and employment are widespread within Syria, with over 90% of the population in Syria living below the poverty line. The country’s GDP plummeted from 67.5 billion in 2011 to 8.97 billion in 2021, and inflation rose by 300%.
On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes struck southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria, adding a crisis on top of an existing crisis impacting internally displaced Syrians and Syrian refugees. As of March 2024, the earthquake has affected 8.8 million people across Syria, with tens of thousands injured and 60,000 lives claimed. In northwest Syria alone, more than 40,000 people remain displaced by the earthquake.
The Need for Attention
Syrians face many challenges including:
- Ongoing conflicts and Political Instability
- Humanitarian Crisis
- Economic Collapse
- Earthquake Recovery
- Food Insecurity
- Education Disruption
- Healthcare System Collapse
Syria is in a complex situation and needs help. In response to the earthquakes in 2023, The UNHCR has worked with local partners across Türkiye and Syria to provide vital emergency relief. Since 2011, UNHCR has had a mission to help families in Syria and neighboring countries by providing food aid, clean water, education, healthcare, etc. UNHCR has delivered protection assistance and psychosocial support to more than 311,000 people and 3 million relief items.
Syria gathered extensive international media attention in 2011 when the Syrian conflict first erupted. Over time, as the conflict persisted and became more complex, media coverage waned, but the crisis in Syria still needs our help. Although aid has been provided to Syria in their peak catastrophes, the crisis is still complex and ongoing with many refugees in seek of aid. The Apogee Report will host a fundraiser for UNHCR, encouraging students and parents to donate.
Works Cited
Alexander, Barrett. “Syria’s Economic Collapse and Its Impact on the Most Vulnerable.” Syria’s Economic Collapse and Its Impact on the Most Vulnerable, www.wvi.org/opinion/view/syrias-economic-collapse-and-its-impact-most-vulnerable. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Geneva. “Why These 10 Humanitarian Crises Demand Your Attention Now.” The New Humanitarian, 13 Feb. 2023, www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2023/01/13/10-humanitarian-crises-demand-attention.
“GDP (Current US$) - Syrian Arab Republic.” World Bank Open Data, data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=SY&start=2011. Accessed 22 June 2024.
