The war has ended, the suffering has not

Why Syria? 

The civil war in Syria may be over, but the crisis is not. Families are still struggling to survive after over a decade of devastation. 

As of late 2024, more than 8.1 million people remain internally displaced, many living in poverty in overcrowded camps inside Syria. Syria remains one of the world’s largest and most protracted displacement crises. 

A new transitional government has emerged in Damascus, following the end of the civil war at the end of 2024, creating an opportunity for Syrians to rebuild. However, the reality is harsh: the situation is still volatile, homes are destroyed, infrastructure is shattered, opportunities for work few and far between. Most families live in deep poverty, with limited access to basic services. 

Many lost not just their homes and livelihoods, but the very foundation of safety and hope. To the world the war has ended, but for Syrians the fight for survival just entered a new chapter.  

ReliefAid is delivering lifesaving aid in Idlib, one of the areas with expansive displacement camps, and supporting Syrians take the first steps towards recovery. 

Syrians survived the civil war, and now they must survive the peace. 

What are we doing?

From emergency shelter to safe cooking and education, ReliefAid is making sure families survive today and rebuild for tomorrow.

Winter shelter and warm clothing

Syrian winters are freezing – wet, cold and brutal for families sheltering in displacement camps. 

For the last decade each winter, with the support of our partner ShelterBox, we have distributed emergency shelter materials and winter clothing to families living in tents and makeshift shelters. 

The war has stolen people’s income and access to jobs; families cannot afford the essentials to survive winter. Each winter children and the elderly suffer terribly from the cold and damp conditions. 

Your donation supports families staying warm and protected. You can help a family survive winter.

Fire for Life: Bringing safe cooking to Syria

Cooking shouldn’t be dangerous, but for families living in tents, it often is. 

Working with New Zealand partner Escea and supported by Oceanbridge Shipping, we’ve delivered hundreds of Fire for Life stoves to families in Idlib – a safe, efficient alternative to open-fire cooking. 

Open fires are risky and polluting, especially in cramped camps. They spark fires, cause smoke inhalation, and waste precious fuel. Families often cook on makeshift stoves built from clay, stones, or scrap metal. 

Read Umm Asmaa’s story here. 

The Fire for Life stove is lightweight and portable. It’s a practical, dignified solution to a daily challenge, designed and built in New Zealand, assembled by our team in Syria, and distributed directly to families. 

A $25 donation provides one stove, and Escea will match your donation and provide 2 stoves for 1 – bringing safe cooking into two families’ homes.

Donate a stove today.

Supporting Syria’s future

In addition to emergency relief, we run ongoing programmes to support families beyond survival: 

• BounceBack4Syria Education Programme. Supporting children with access to education in displacement camps. Learn more here.
• Medical Support Programme. Providing life-saving medical aid and support to people with chronic medical conditions. Learn more here.

Our team in Syria 

We have been working in Syria since 2015, during some of the most dangerous phases of the conflict and in places that others could not, or would not, go. Our first aid distributions were in Aleppo city in 2015, when it was regarded the most dangerous place on earth. 

Our local national team, many of whom have faced displacement themselves and have been with us since 2015, have stood by Syrian families and their community for a decade. They are adept at operating in extremely challenging environments, navigating airstrikes, flooding, earthquakes, and continuous displacement. 

We are one of the few international organisations consistently operating in Syria and one of even fewer in Idlib. Our trusted local team ensures that your donation goes directly to the families who need it most. 

Act now and support Syrian to families repair after conflict.

This is a rare window of hope. With the war over families want to return and rebuild, but they need support to do it safely and with dignity. 

Please donate now to stand with Syrian families at this critical turning point.