UN warns of disease outbreak among displaced in Sweida

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned of a high risk of disease outbreak among displaced people of Sweida, southern Syria, due to overcrowding in schools and collective centers used as temporary shelters. 

UNHCR emphasized that these unsanitary conditions expose women, children, and the elderly in particular to significant health risks.

It noted that the widespread displacement coincided with political tensions and armed clashes that erupted last July, leading to a deterioration in living conditions.

The number of displaced people since the beginning of the military operations until the end of last August reached approximately 187,000 people, 66% of whom reside in Sweida, while the rest have taken refuge in Daraa and Damascus countryside.

Despite a ceasefire has been announced, intermittent attacks have continued in Sweida countryside. Moreover, approximately 8,500 displaced people have recently returned to their hometowns, among them 49% to Salkhad and 42% to Sweida city.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, confirmed that the humanitarian crisis remains critical, amid approximately 16.5 million people need to humanitarian assistance.

He made clear that the $3.2 billion Humanitarian Response Plan of 2025 received only 14% funding, reducing support to approximately 8 million of the most vulnerable people.

He pointed out that Syria is facing a massive displacement crisis, as more than 6 million people are internally displaced and approximately 6 million refugees live outside the country, approximately 24% of housing have been damaged, and 2.5 million returnees are homeless.

He emphasized that the lack of funding has affected basic services, with more than half of health facilities closed and 40% of schools closed, leaving 2.4 million children away from education and more than a million at risk of dropping out of school.

J.J