Christina Bethke, Acting WHO Representative in Syria
25 July 2025

Thank you, and good morning. I’m speaking to you from Damascus, Syria.

The recent escalation in As-Sweida has displaced over 145,000 people. Many have had to leave their homes with nothing, taking shelter in makeshift reception centres in Dara’a, Rural Damascus and Damascus.

Our teams visited several of these sites in rural Damascus just yesterday and will be heading to Dara’a on Sunday. What we’ve seen – and heard – is a powerful reminder of the stakes: parents searching for medicine for their children, elderly people in need of urgent care, and health workers doing their best under extraordinary pressure.

WHO-supported mobile medical teams have been deployed to displacement areas, providing urgent outpatient consultations, maternal and child health services, mental health support, and essential medicines. These efforts, coordinated with the Ministry of Health and local authorities, have already reached thousands of people from rural Sweida and other affected communities.

Inside Sweida, health facilities are under immense strain. Health personnel are working under extremely difficult conditions, and access to care remains a challenge.

Hospitals are facing shortages of staff, electricity and water, and essential supplies. The city’s main hospital has been overwhelmed – at one point this week, its morgue reached capacity.

Five reported attacks on healthcare have been confirmed by WHO. These include the killing of two doctors, obstruction and targeting of ambulances, and hospitals being temporarily occupied or otherwise affected. These incidents are deeply concerning.

Health care must never be a target. In fact. health facilities, patients and health workers must be actvely protected. Ensuring that doctors, nurses, and supplies can reach people safely isn’t just vital for saving lives – it is a responsibility under international law that all sides must uphold.

Access to Sweida remains limited and inconsistent. WHO still managed to deliver critical supplies to health facilities in Dara’a and Rural Damascus – including trauma supplies, essential medicines and support to hospitals across both governorates – The first humanitarian convoy entered Sweida on Sunday, followed by a second on Wednesday. The shipment was coordinated closely with the Ministry of Health, the Department of Health, and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Continuous and unimpeded humanitarian access is essential to sustain the health response, including timely medical referrals and the uninterrupted delivery of critical care.

WHO is working with national stakeholders to develop a trauma referral pathway, which means the safe and timely transport of the wounded from frontline areas to hospitals.

Syria is at a crossroads – facing multiple crises, but also a real opportunity to rebuild. Keeping humanitarian health services running is not just critical for today’s emergencies – it is the bridge to recovery.

Thank you.

Further information

Functionality of health care: Prior to the escalation, 3 public hospitals, 5 PHC centres, and 5 specialty centres in As-Sweida were fully functioning. 1 hospital and 75 PHC centres were partially functional; these have now suspended operations due to insecurity. Over 2,300 healthcare workers – including 434 doctors, 1,737 nurses, and 184 midwives – are currently unable to access their workplaces due to ongoing insecurity, verified attacks on healthcare, and road closures across affected areas.

Partners: The Syrian Arab Red Crescent plays a critical role in medical evacuations, having responded to over 300 emergency cases including the transport of injured patients from temporary health points in Izra’ sub-district to hospitals in Dar’a and Damascus.

Supplies: A WHO shipment from the Supplies and Logistics Hub in Dubai arrived at WHO’s central warehouse on 24 July. It includes emergency medical supplies, essential medicines, and health supplies to support urgent care, outpatient services, and the health needs of displaced people and those seeking treatment at hospitals

Further risks/issues: In early July, wildfires in northern rural Latakia severely affected around 60 communities – damaging homes, displacing families, and compounding existing vulnerabilities. At the same time, explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a serious threat. As an example, on 24 July, an explosion in northern Idlib reportedly resulted in several casualties, including deaths.

Jamal, a vaccination supervisor in Khan Shaykhun, prepares a vaccine dose during an outreach campaign. Photo: WHO21 July 2025, Syrian Arab Republic – When Hassan and his family returned to Khan Shaykhun after years of displacement, one of his first concerns was his children’s health. 

“All my children have been vaccinated on time,” says the father of seven. “It wasn’t always like this. During our displacement, we had to walk for hours to find a health centre. But now, services are closer. They even announce vaccination campaigns in community centres and schools.” 

Jamal checks a vaccine dose before administering it to children during outreach in Khan Shaykhun. Photo: WHOIn this quiet but determined recovery, access to immunization has become a symbol of stability and protection. As families like Hassan’s resettle in Khan Shaykhun, the need to catch up on missed childhood vaccines is urgent. For children under five, especially those who missed early doses or were born during displacement, vaccines offer life-saving protection against preventable diseases.

Leading these efforts is Jamal, a vaccination team supervisor. “We provide vaccines to children from the first day of life up to five years old,” he explains. “We also vaccinate pregnant women against tetanus. During recent outreach, we even set up temporary vaccination points in remote areas.” 

Areas in southern Idlib Governorate near northern Hama, including Al-Tamanah, Al-Habit, Kafr Sajnah, Abdin, Al-Muqayir, and Sheikh Mustafa, have long been hard to reach, especially as many of them were located along former front lines. But with strong community commitment and dedicated field teams, no child is left behind.

“The electronic tracking system helped us identify children who had missed vaccines. It allowed us to plan follow-up visits and make sure every child was protected,” Jamal adds. “And the community’s support made everything smoother.” 

Jamal monitors the temperature of a vaccine to ensure it is safe for use during a vaccination session. Photo: WHOThat support didn’t come overnight. Outreach teams held awareness sessions, handed out printed materials, and partnered with community centres and schools to address misinformation. Religious leaders and teachers helped build trust – one conversation at a time.

“People used to hesitate,” says Jamal. “But now they understand. They know how important vaccines are, especially in an environment where health risks are still high.” 

These services are part of a joint effort involving the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and health partners, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. In Idlib and Aleppo, more than 80 immunization centres and outreach teams are operating with collective support. As Syria enters a new phase of recovery, these locally led efforts mark an important step towards a more integrated and nationally supported health system.

The teams also monitor child growth during visits by measuring height, weight, and signs of malnutrition to ensure children not only receive vaccines but are also supported with broader primary health services. “There are fewer obstacles now,” says Hassan. “The care we receive is respectful and timely. And thanks to this effort, our children are safer, and our future feels a little more secure.”

Hasan, a father of seven, speaks with Jamal before his children receive routine vaccines. Photo: WHO

A mother holds her youngest child while waiting for routine vaccination in Khan Shaykhun. Photo: WHO

Majed stands beside his newborn baby as a health worker administers a routine vaccine as part of continued efforts to protect children from preventable diseases in conflict-affected areas. Photo: WHO20 July 2025, Syrian Arab Republic – At a clinic in Idlib, Majed gently rocks his newborn son after a routine vaccination. It’s a moment repeated every day across Syria but for parents like Majed, it carries a deeper meaning. “Our generation received vaccines, and we know how important they are,” he says. “That’s why we made sure to vaccinate our children from the start.” 

After more than 14 years of crisis, access to health services remains a challenge for many communities but efforts to strengthen and expand care are gaining ground. Families in rural or hard-to-reach areas often face long journeys to the nearest clinic. “In the cities, it’s easier,” Majed explains. “But many people in the smaller villages still struggle to get vaccines for their children. That’s why outreach matters so much.” 

Ahmad, a community mobilizer at the Abi Dhar Health Centre, supports vaccination efforts by guiding families and addressing concerns. Photo: WHOIn the face of these challenges, health workers across Syria are working tirelessly to ensure every child is protected. From fixed centres to mobile vaccination teams, services are being delivered where they’re needed most backed by dedicated staff, digital tools and strong community outreach.

Ahmad, a community mobilizer at the Abi Dhar Health Centre in Idlib, plays a key role in that effort. He helps track immunization schedules, raise awareness among families, and ensure no child is left behind. “We recently introduced an electronic registration system for children who receive vaccines,” he says. “Now we can track their next dose, follow up if they miss an appointment, and make sure they complete the schedule.” 

The system has already helped reduce dropouts and strengthened coordination between health teams and families. But Ahmad says that information and trust are just as important. “Some people still believe rumors that vaccines are harmful,” he explains. “So, we go house to house, talk to families, explain how vaccines protect their children. It takes time, but it’s working.”

Health workers at a vaccination centre in Idlib prepare for the day’s immunization efforts. Photo: WHOHealth workers also ensure the integrity of the cold chain, storing vaccines at the right temperature and checking them before use. “We take every step to make sure vaccines are safe,” says a senior nurse at the facility. “Parents are trusting us with their children’s health and we never take that lightly.”

While misinformation remains a concern, field teams report a growing shift in public perception. More parents now understand the benefits of vaccination and see it as a basic right. “Children can’t speak for themselves,” the nurse adds. “It’s up to us as health workers and parents to protect them.” 

Still, sustaining these gains is not easy. Many clinics continue to rely on external support for staffing, supplies, and transportation. In areas where health infrastructure remains limited, mobile teams are often the only option. As more families return and reconnect with essential services, continued investment and coordination remain critical to keep immunization going and to strengthen the health system for the future. 

Majed’s story and the stories of thousands of parents like him are a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, parents continue to show up for their children. And that behind every vaccine delivered is a network of health workers, logisticians and community leaders committed to building a healthier future. 

These services are part of a joint effort involving the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and health partners, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. In Idlib and Aleppo, more than 80 immunization centres and outreach teams are operating with collective support. As Syria enters a new phase of recovery, these locally led efforts mark an important step towards a more integrated and nationally supported health system.

In Idlib, a health worker checks the temperature of the vaccine storage unit to ensure vaccines are safely preserved. Photo: WHO

Majed holds his newborn baby after a routine vaccination, committed to protecting his child from preventable diseases from the very first days of life. Photo: WHO

A health worker checks a patient’s blood pressure at Maskaneh Health Centre in rural Aleppo. The facility delivers primary health care services through a WHO-supported implementing partner, ensuring access to essential care for communities in hard-to-reach areas. Photo: WHO16 July 2025, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – The Government of Norway has contributed 10 million Norwegian kroner in flexible funding to support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) health response in Syria. This timely and strategic support comes at a critical moment, enabling WHO to respond swiftly to emerging health emergencies and continue essential recovery efforts to rebuild the country’s fragile health system. 

WHO remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health and health partners to ensure Syrians can access the health services they need. Sustained, flexible funding remains critical to maintain humanitarian health services while supporting early recovery and long-term health system strengthening efforts across the country. 

“With Syria’s health system under immense strain, flexible funding like this from Norway is vital,” said Acting WHO Representative in Syria, Christina Bethke. “It allows us to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed – whether that is responding rapidly to disease outbreaks, providing trauma care in emergencies or strengthening services for women and children.” 

“We are deeply grateful to Norway for this generous contribution,” added Bethke. “Their support comes at a critical time, helping us keep essential health services running and reach people with the care they need. Flexible funding like this also enables us to strengthen the health system for the future, so that Syrians can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.” 

More than 16.7 million people in Syria need urgent humanitarian health support. With only 57% of hospitals and 37% of primary healthcare centres fully functional, millions are at risk of preventable illness and death. Norway’s continued commitment enables WHO to maintain critical health services, support health system recovery and invest in long-term resilience. 

“Support to inclusive health services and system strengthening are priorities for Norwegian assistance to Syria,” said ambassador Hilde Haraldstad, Chargée d’Affaires, Norwegian Embassy to Syria. “Reinforcing and strengthening the national health system is critical and WHO has an important role to play.” 

Flexible funding from Norway complements its broader contributions to WHO’s work in emergencies globally. Norway also provides core resources to WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, underpinning much of WHO’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to crises. Norway’s annual support to the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) was used in Syria in December last year, ensuring rapid life-saving interventions for affected communities. 

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