Since 2011, Syria has faced a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions from their homes. The people of Syria face a lack of basic needs and livelihoods. We are helping to mitigate the effects of the civil war in the country. We have been working in the Turkish-Syrian border region since 2013. We have provided humanitarian material aid and healthcare and helped provide people with decent housing in the Idlib region.

In February 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Syria and Turkey. This exacerbated the problematic situation of the people in the country and left them entirely dependent on humanitarian organisations to provide for their basic needs.

Humanitarian aid for earthquake victims

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we started to provide on-the-ground assistance in cooperation with our partner organisations. We provided basic material aid such as food, drinking water, hygiene kits, warm clothes, and blankets. We are also providing shelter, as well as building social facilities. In response to the earthquake, we have launched a fundraiser to help Turkey and Syria.

March 30, 2017 Syria

"We survived because we ran on time"

“ISIS took control of my suburb in Aleppo, there was terrible suffering. ISIS men controlled everything to buy. It became very expensive. People were being killed in their homes in Aleppo. If a woman wore green or red, they would attack her. If she was beautiful, they would take her and rape her and use her as a slave. Our neighbour was taken, and when she didn’t come back the husband killed himself," said Badia Mehmid (35), mother of nine children. Read all story on a Patrick Nicholson´s photo gallery HERE.

March 15, 2017 Syria

Six years in Syria

The war in Syria began on 15 March 2011. Six years later, the country has been left devastated. Caritas works both inside Syria, in neighbouring countries which host the bulk of the refugees and across Europe where hundreds of thousands have fled in search of safety.

March 10, 2017 Syria

Caritas Internationalis website: 6 years of war in Syria

The war in Syria began on 15 March 2011. Six years later, the country has been left devastated. “We appeal for peace,” said Caritas Syria President Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo. “We need peace and reconciliation. Peace is possible in Syria!” Caritas Internationalis published a new website dedicated to the crisis. See it HERE.

March 1, 2017 Syria

The Lost Children of Aleppo

While carrying out community visits in war-torn East Aleppo, Caritas found six children living on their own in a half destroyed house. Mohammed, 12, Hanna, 10, Ibrahim, 9, Doha, 6, Zakaria, 5, Yamen, 9 months had been rescued by neighbours from their previous home when it had been hit by a bomb.