In a world marked by successive crises, humanitarian aid goes far beyond simply responding to emergencies. Rather, it is an investment in peace, development and dignity. In places such as north-eastern Syria, after more than a decade of conflict, this is clearly evident. Although the most visible fighting has ceased, humanitarian needs remain immense. Infrastructure has been destroyed, basic services have been weakened, and thousands of people are struggling to rebuild their lives, their communities and their hope.
Peace, in contexts such as Raqqa or Hasaka, is not an end point, but rather a fragile process that requires ongoing support. Every small step forward — a health centre back in operation, a repaired water network, a group of young people participating in community activities — is a step towards a stability that still hangs by a thread. Given this situation, humanitarian aid is more than a charitable act; it is a prerequisite for survival and an essential driver of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seek to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and ensure health and well-being for all.
The healthcare system in north-eastern Syria was severely damaged by the war. Many hospitals were destroyed, medicine supply chains were disrupted, and much of the healthcare workforce was displaced, weakening the capacity to respond to common illnesses. Today, many preventable conditions can become life-threatening simply due to a lack of medical care. Diseases such as scabies and leishmaniasis spread easily among displaced people living in precarious conditions.
Local and international humanitarian organisations are working to restore basic health services. This involves providing support to medical centres, distributing medicines, training staff and promoting health prevention through community campaigns. In rural villages, teams visit communities to provide information on hygiene, vaccination and sexual and reproductive health, helping to prevent outbreaks that could overwhelm the system.
The work carried out by humanitarian organisations goes far beyond immediate medical care. Amir and Dalal, for example, travel through villages with megaphones to explain to the population how to prevent diseases and where to find free healthcare. This seemingly simple activity saves lives and prevents health crises that could overwhelm the entire community. In every leaflet handed out, in every visit to a remote neighbourhood, there is a clear affirmation of the right to health, even in places that are no longer of interest to the media.
This work, often unseen, saves lives every day and serves as the very foundation of recovery.
But physical health is not the only issue. The war has left deep psychological and social scars. Family losses, displacement, violence and prolonged poverty have a lasting emotional impact. As a result, psychosocial support has become a vital part of the humanitarian response.
In health centres and community spaces, specialist teams offer psychological support, group sessions and well-being activities. These interventions not only help people manage trauma, but also strengthen family ties and social cohesion in fragmented communities. Women who previously felt alone or unable to care for their children regain confidence and stability; young people who grew up in a context of war learn to identify and express their emotions; older men find meaning in their lives through work and community involvement.
Psychologists such as Amal Issa Sheikho work with people who are burdened with irreparable losses and anxiety in the face of an uncertain future. “People don’t know what their future holds. They don’t know if they will face further displacement,” she explains. Individual and group sessions, support for women who are victims of violence, and community radio programmes broadcasting messages of emotional well-being are part of a comprehensive strategy that seeks to empower people, not just treat symptoms.
Mental well-being, though intangible, translates into social cohesion and a collective capacity to move forward. Without mental health, reconstruction is impossible.
Behind every health or psychosocial support programme lie stories of resilience that demonstrate the power of humanitarian aid. Elderly people who can walk again thanks to a prosthesis, displaced women who find employment in health centres, or families who manage to send their children to school after years of instability.
Fátima Mustafa, who fled after her husband was kidnapped by Islamic State, found a place to rebuild her life at a health centre. “Sometimes we ran out of food,” she recalls. Today she works in the centre's cleaning service, her children go to school and she proudly supports her household. These stories show that with resources, people can not only survive, but become agents of their own change. These are small, everyday achievements which, when added together, transform entire communities. In an environment which is no longer the focus of international attention, every story of recovery is a reminder of what global cooperation can achieve when sustained over time.
Nonetheless, international support for Syria has declined significantly in recent years. With global attention focused on other crises, funding cuts are putting the continuity of essential programmes at risk. Fewer funds mean fewer medicines, fewer healthcare workers, fewer mental health services. And behind every budget cut are lives left unattended, families losing their sole source of support, and communities sliding back into precariousness.
The withdrawal of aid not only has immediate consequences. It also increases tensions, deepens poverty and can fuel new cycles of violence. Ignoring these realities means abandoning the commitments made in the SDGs and undermining efforts to build more just and stable societies.
Investing in humanitarian aid means investing in peace and development. Every euro spent on health, education, water or psychosocial support not only saves lives, it also strengthens institutions, prevents conflicts and creates opportunities for the future. International cooperation cannot stop when the focus of the media moves elsewhere: that is precisely when solidarity is most needed.
Ensuring health and well-being (SDG 3), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and building strong institutions (SDG 16) are goals that can only be achieved if the international community maintains its commitment to the most vulnerable populations.
The fragile peace in north-eastern Syria reminds us that the end of a war does not mean the end of suffering. Every step forward requires support, resources and political will. Humanitarian aid is the bridge that sustains life while the future is being built, and without it, we risk not only losing lives, but also hope.