The Syrian conflict started in March 2011, and has generated the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in recent years. The situation in the country and the conditions for refugees in neighbouring countries continues to deteriorate.

More than 9 million Syrians now need assistance, and 6.5 million of them are displaced inside their own country, struggling to survive and cope with the crisis. In addition, more than 2.5 million people have fled to neighbouring countries, a third of them school-aged children and youth. An estimated 3.1 million Syrian children and youth inside Syria and in neighbouring countries are in need of education.

In addition, the country’s cultural heritage is continuously exposed to threats of destruction, looting and illicit traffic. Important sites and monuments have been destroyed or substantially damaged.

UNESCO has been active in responding to this crisis, particularly by assisting Syrian refugees and host communities in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, and safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage. >>> Read more