Brussels / Damascus, 11 May 2026 — As EU and Syrian leaders meet in Brussels to discuss their cooperation on Syria’s future, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that European policymakers must not turn their backs on the people of Syria, but rather significantly ramp up their support for millions of Syrians who continue to be affected by crisis across the country.
The EU-Syria High Level Political Dialogue, taking place today, Monday 11th May, brings together EU and member state policymakers with their counterparts in the Syrian government. This year, it takes place against a backdrop of persisting humanitarian needs in Syria, as more than 60% of the population - some 15.6 million people - still need humanitarian support to survive. One in four people in Syria remain displaced, mostly women and children. And about 90% of Syrians are living in poverty, with many families unable to meet their most basic needs.
Yet despite this, financial support to Syria has plummeted to fresh lows with just 16% of the UN’s 2026 Syria response priorities currently funded. This growing financing gap is partially due to the United States’ funding to Syria shrinking substantially over the past two years - from more than $430 million in 2024 (28% of the entire response) to less than 114 million in 2025. But other donors are also reducing their support as evidenced at last year’s Brussels Conference on the situation in Syria, where pledges decreased by almost a third compared to those in 2024.
These cuts are forcing organisations like the IRC to scale back essential services that are a lifeline to millions. In camps for internally displaced Syrians in Raqqa and Hassaka many families no longer have access to food assistance, clean water and hygiene services. Our staff report that malnutrition cases are expected to rise next month, placing additional pressure on the few healthcare facilities remaining.
Across the country, critical infrastructure remains severely damaged: more than half of the water supply networks and four out of five electricity grids are either destroyed or non-functional, leaving millions without reliable access to essential services. One-third of Syria’s housing lies in rubble. Yet, despite these challenges, numerous European governments are currently reassessing the status of Syrian refugees, which puts many at risk of potentially being forcedly returned.
It’s vital that EU leaders guarantee that humanitarian action is able to continue inside Syria, and that they invest in recovery, rehabilitation and longer-term development so that people are able to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
Eatizaz Yousif, IRC’s Syria Country Director, says:
“I have seen firsthand the life-changing impact of humanitarian aid in Syria—from mobile clinics in IDP camps that allow mothers to give birth safely, to protected spaces where survivors of violence can begin to heal. But as global aid budgets shrink, these lifelines are now fraying at the seams. Syria is at a historic crossroads; for the first time in fifteen years, a genuine opportunity for recovery is within reach. But for this transition to succeed, sustained EU support remains indispensable.”
Marta Welander, IRC’s EU Advocacy Director, says:
“Now is not the time for the EU to turn its back on Syria. With millions still displaced and many families unsure where their next meal will come from, the humanitarian crisis in the country remains acute. We are calling on EU member states to seize the opportunity of next week’s Political Dialogue to confront this reality and reverse the global funding cuts that are pushing people even more deeply into poverty. Only by combining lifesaving humanitarian aid with investment in early recovery will it be possible to provide the stability that Syrians need to finally rebuild their lives. This is the only path towards ensuring that people are able to rebuild their lives in Syria in a safe, dignified, and sustainable way in the future.”