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Families stay engaged, trust grows, and routine vaccines reach children in Idlib city
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
Norway provides 10 million kroner in flexible funding to strengthen health services across Syria
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.
Media contacts:
Halah Kabash,
Mrinalini Santhanam,
Greece partners with WHO to expand access to essential medicines across Syria
WHO staff prepare medical supplies for delivery to Al-Qamishli in northeast Syria in December 2024, supporting health facilities with essential medicines and equipment.30 June 2025, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – The Government of Greece has contributed €200 000 to support World Health Organization (WHO) efforts to deliver essential medicines and medical supplies to health facilities across Syria.
“This contribution from Greece reflects a timely commitment to the health of people in Syria,” said Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke. “Together with the Ministry of Health, this support will help ensure hospitals and clinics have the supplies they need to care for people with injuries, chronic illnesses and other health conditions.”
Millions of Syrians rely on humanitarian assistance, and health facilities face ongoing challenges due to medicine shortages, rising treatment costs and the impacts of prolonged conflict. The support from Greece will enable WHO to provide critical supplies – including trauma kits, antibiotics and medicines for noncommunicable diseases – reaching areas with the greatest needs.
“The initiative integrates a gender-responsive approach, recognizing the specific barriers faced by women and girls in accessing health care. By improving medicine availability at primary and hospital levels, the project aims to reduce inequalities and support more inclusive health outcomes,” added Bethke.
In coordination with the Ministry of Health, supplies will be distributed based on need, with a focus on ensuring equitable access for internally displaced people, host communities and returnees, and on reducing the financial burden of treatment on families.
So far this year, WHO has provided nearly 2.7 million treatment courses across Syria. The support from Greece will complement these efforts, helping WHO continue its work alongside national partners, improving access to care and strengthening health services across the country.
Media contacts:
Halah Kabash,
Mrinalini Santhanam,
How KSrelief is helping a young man in Hama manage diabetes
Molham, 22, consults his doctor at the National Hospital in Hama where he receives free insulin, provided by WHO with support from KSrelief. Photo credit: WHO25 June 2025, Syrian Arab Republic – “Without this insulin, I wouldn’t be alive today,” says 22-year-old Molham. “I’ve been coming to this centre for over 14 years. They’ve never let me down.”
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 5, Molham has spent most of his life managing a condition that demands routine and stability in a setting where limited resources and growing needs, compounded by prolonged conflict, have placed enormous strain on the health system, making access to essential medications like insulin immensely challenging.
“I remember the moment a shell landed just 100 metres from our home,” he recalls. “I ran, carrying my siblings. We hid under a car. We didn’t know if we would make it.”
Fear and instability took a toll on Molham’s health. Emotional stress triggered repeated drops in his blood sugar. “There were times I stopped eating, stopped taking my medicine properly. One day I collapsed and was rushed to intensive care.”
Continuity of care, thanks to targeted support
WHO-supplied noncommunicable disease kits funded by KSrelief are prepared for distribution to support 100 000 patients across Syria. Photo credit: WHOMolham receives his medication, including life-saving insulin, free of charge at the Directorate of Health-managed National Hospital in Hama. He is one of thousands of people in Syria living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease – which require long-term care and uninterrupted access to medicines.
To help people like Molham manage chronic conditions, the World Health Organization (WHO), with funding from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has delivered specialized NCD kits to health centres across Syria. The kits include treatments for chronic disease and medical devices for the management of hypertension and cardiac conditions, diabetes, endocrine conditions and chronic respiratory diseases. The supplies are enough to treat 100 000 patients, and distribution has been prioritized in areas with the highest need, including Hama, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous.
“Thanks to this support I don’t worry about running out of insulin,” Molham says. “This place – the staff, the doctor, everyone – treats me like family. It’s my safe space.”
A fragile routine, built on resilience
Despite everything, Molham follows a strict routine: he takes his injections twice a day, avoids sugar and sticks to his appointments. He knows that any disruption – emotional, economic or medical – could land him back in hospital.
“I’ll do my best to stay healthy,” he says. “Because of all the people who are helping me – I want to honour that.”
