MSF: 70 Percent of Syria’s Population Urgently Needs Aid
Arias highlighted the growing prevalence of diseases linked to poor water and sanitation infrastructure, emphasizing that "infectious diseases continue to spread across the country."

Jan. 21, 2025
ERBIL (KURDISTAN24) - More than 70 percent of Syria’s population requires immediate humanitarian assistance amid worsening conditions driven by water shortages, inadequate sanitation, and a dire humanitarian crisis, says Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
“Humanitarian efforts face significant challenges amid increasing needs," said Carlos Arias, MSF’s medical coordinator for Syria, on Monday.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Arias revealed, “Over 70 percent of Syria’s population remains in urgent need of humanitarian aid, while only one-third of the necessary funding is being secured to meet critical needs.”
Arias highlighted the growing prevalence of diseases linked to poor water and sanitation infrastructure, emphasizing that "infectious diseases continue to spread across the country."
With the onset of harsh winter conditions, Arias warned, "People are being forced to sell essential belongings to purchase fuel or heating supplies, making an already dire situation even worse."
Arias described Syria's healthcare situation as "extremely critical," particularly in Aleppo and Damascus.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), 20 hospitals are out of service, and 38 are only partially operational.
According to a United Nation (UN) report from December 2024, Syria’s health crisis, exacerbated by harsh winter conditions, has left internally displaced persons (IDPs) in overcrowded camps struggling with inadequate heating and rising respiratory illnesses, including influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
The report noted that despite aid efforts, including over 750 United Nations (UN) trucks delivering vital supplies since Dec, 2024, severe funding shortages threaten healthcare services for 450,000 people.
The MSF cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries, per the organization’s website.