Humanitarian Update Syrian Arab Republic - Issue 24/ May 2024

On 30 May, in his statement to the United Nations Security Council, Mr Martin Griffiths highlighted concerns over the underfunding for the Syria humanitarian response which has the biggest funding gap since the start of the crisis.

Electricity production in Syria has plummeted by 80 per cent after more than a decade of conflict, which creates a cascading crisis, further crippling other essential services, like water, health and food production. In May, the cost of living nearly doubled compared to last year. Food prices increased by 83 per cent in the same period.

On 21 May, following intensive coordination and advocacy, a joint cross-line mission took place to Alouk water station in Ras Al Mn area, Al-Hasakeh Governorate.

As of 28 May, the World Health Organization's (WHO) partners have been prevented from entering Al Hol Camp following the de facto authorities' decision to suspend WHO activities in the camp on 7 May. Advocacy efforts are ongoing for WHO partners to resume their activities in the camp especially as some diseases may increase during the hot summer.

During May, fire incidents reportedly consumed large swaths of crops in various locations across Syria. Fires continued to cause huge losses to farmers, primarily affecting fields of wheat, barley and various other crops.

As of the first week of the final national examinations, humanitarian actors have been responding to the needs of around 8,400 students and their chaperones in accommodation centres across the five hubs.