A Decade of Crisis, a Future of Hope: GOAL’s Lifesaving Work in Syria thanks to EU Support

At a time of extraordinary need, with fragile infrastructure still reeling from the 2023 earthquakes and thousands of displaced people returning home after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, SANAD provided essential support across food security, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), shelter, winterisation, and emergency response, reaching over 1.16 million people.

This is the story of the need and impact of the EU-funded GOAL programme in Syria, as told by GOAL Syria photographs A. Kayali, A. Al Ibrahim, A. Zakkour, and S. Aleido.

Dignity and Security Through Emergency Cash Assistance

Khaled Al-Hassan -38 years old- buys food at the market in southeastern Idlib countryside, after receiving GOAL’s food cash assistance. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Abulrahman Kayali.

“We were finally able to buy warm clothes for our children, enjoy a meal with meat or chicken, and even treat them to some fruit and sweets. It really improved our living conditions.”

– Khaled Al-Hassan, 38, Southeastern Idlib.

After receiving cash assistance for food through the SANAD project, Khaled was able to provide for his family’s basic needs for the first time in months. In total, 238,513 people were supported through food cash assistance.

Supporting Returnees in Eastern Idlib

GOALies at a cash distribution point in Idlib, supporting families returning to eastern Idlib after the conflict ended in December 2024, as part of the emergency response. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Ahmad Al Ibrahim.

GOALies distributed emergency cash assistance to families returning to eastern Idlib after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 — a region previously inaccessible for years due to conflict. Unlike in-kind aid, cash support enables families to address their most urgent needs with agency, dignity and flexibility while supporting local markets and recovery efforts.

Hope and Healing After Return

Amina -53-year-old- waters her plants after returning to her village in eastern Idlib, following the end of the Syria conflict in December 2024. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Ahmad Al Ibrahim.

“We were overjoyed to return to our home and village. Now we sleep in peace, no airstrikes, no fear. My children and grandchildren can finally play under the sun. I was deeply moved to see my plants had survived. They waited for me, just as I longed to return to them.”

— Amina, 53, Eastern Idlib

After returning home, Amina found her garden still standing. Like her, over 20,000 people received emergency cash support, helping them begin again.

Restoring Access to Clean Water

GOAL engineer inspects solar powered water wells, part of WASH operations to restore clean water access in Northern Aleppo. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Ahmad Zakkour.

In Northern Aleppo, GOAL’s WASH teams restored access to safe water by rehabilitating and operating water stations and piped networks — including solar-powered water wells, as pictured. These sustainable systems reached over 800,000 people with clean water, while sanitation services supported another 177,000. Notably, 99.98% of water samples met SPHERE standards – a set of principles and minimum humanitarian standards in four technical areas of humanitarian response- for chlorine levels, ensuring safe and reliable access for conflict-affected communities.

GOAL Syria WASH Engineers, Louay Tajiddin, monitoring water quality in Northern Aleppo. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Ahmad Zakkour.

“Despite the challenges of operating water stations and networks in conflict conditions, focusing our efforts on supporting piped water provision to households instead of relying on water trucking has allowed GOAL to achieve more sustainable results.”

— Louay Tajiddin, GOAL Water and Sanitation Engineer

Building Safer Homes for Displaced Families

The first stage of establishing dignified shelters -Dar Alkeram- is in Idlib. Eng. Marwan (right) oversees the project. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Sulaiman Aledo.

At the Dar Alkeram site in Idlib, GOAL engineers oversaw the construction of 105 dignified shelter units, including four units adapted for persons with disabilities, benefiting 436 people.

Hajjeh Al-Jassem -70 years old- in her tent, Ma’arat al-Nu’man, Idlib, before moving to the dignified Shelters. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Ahmad Al Ibrahim.

“Life in the camp is harsh; winters and summers are equally cruel. Storms could destroy my tent, and no one would know. When I heard we’d move into caravans, I was filled with hope.”

— Hajjeh Al-Jassem, 70, Ma’arat al-Nu’man

Dignified shelter has given vulnerable people, especially the elderly, the safety and privacy denied to them for years in temporary camps.

Preparing for Winter

Winter MPCA cash distribution at Killy camps, Idlib. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Abulrahman Kayali.

To help families survive freezing winter conditions, USD 1.65 million in winter cash assistance was distributed to 45,339 individuals across northwest Syria, all before November 2024.

Abdul Al-Hilawi – 28 years old- receives winter MPCA assistance at a distribution point in northwest Hama. © GOAL Syria. Photographs by Abulrahman Kayali.

“Firewood costs over $160 per ton, and we often rely on aid. GOAL’s winterisation support eased the heating burden and improved our living conditions, saving money for food, jackets, school supplies, and medicines for my children”.

— Abdul Al-Hilawi, 28, Hama

GOAL’s winterisation support alleviates the financial stress for thousands of families, enabling them to afford essential items needed for surviving winter in displacement with dignity.

Looking Ahead

Over the past year, Syria has faced immense turmoil—but also moments of hope. After more than a decade of conflict and the devastation of the 2023 twin earthquakes, the needs of its people continue to evolve. Thanks to long-standing support from the EU, GOAL has remained a steadfast presence. Through the Emergency and Lifesaving Assistance to Conflict- and Disaster-Affected Populations in North-West Syria project, vital aid has reached those most in need, serving as a lifeline throughout 2024–2025.