Press Release
September 25, 2025 • 3 min read
Wildfires that erupted on 2 July 2025 in rural Lattakia – Syria’s main port city – rapidly spread to parts of Hama and Idlib - two major cities in the region - displacing over 1,150 people and affecting more than 14,000.
The fires devastated approximately 15,000 hectares of farmland and forest, crippling local livelihoods and impacting 72 communities, with Qastal Maaf and Rabee’a Subdistricts bearing the worst damage. Although largely contained by July 15, the threat of further flare-ups remains critical, and recovery efforts are significant.
With the support of the European Union through the ECHO-funded SANAD II Programme, GOAL has expanded its humanitarian response to Lattakia Governorate to assist families affected by recent wildfires. GOAL has already maintained a strong presence across Northwest Syria since 2012 and is a leading humanitarian actor in the region, allowing the aid agency to respond rapidly and strategically.
Scenes from the devastating wildfire in Qastal Maaf’s forests, which caused widespread damage and left many families in urgent need of support.
The intervention aims to address the urgent needs of 1,675 households of affected residents through a dual response approach: providing multi-purpose cash assistance and rehabilitating critical water and sanitation infrastructure. Critical WASH activities are being implemented in collaboration with our NGO partner, Syria Relief, to ensure that affected families regain access to clean water and essential services.
GOAL’s Selection Team meeting with beneficiaries in Qastal Maaf, Latakia as part of the coverage expansion to support families affected by the recent wildfire.
GOAL’s emergency response will aim to address the urgent needs of wildfire-affected families, including:
- Emergency cash distributions enabled 1,675 families to meet their essential needs, such as food, clothing, and medicine.
- Rehabilitation of damaged water networks and pumping stations, servicing 17,000 people across 85 affected communities, was carried out by Syria Relief to restore access to safe and clean water.
Speaking about GOAL’s swift programme expansion, Tamer Kirolos, GOAL’s Syria Country Director, said:
“This expansion reaffirms GOAL’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable communities, but also our ability to be agile and respond when and where it is needed most. We are standing with families affected by the wildfires, providing essential aid and rebuilding vital services to restore hope and strengthen resilience in the face of immense challenges. Our longstanding presence in Syria has enabled us to think and act strategically and swiftly, and to partner with local agencies such as Syria Relief to deliver urgent and targeted responses. This type of agility is only possible with the support of generous donors like the EU.”
GOAL’s MPCA Team at the distribution point in Rabee’a, Latakia, engaging directly with beneficiaries to provide cash following the wildfire.
GOAL’s emergency response combines immediate assistance with the rehabilitation of critical services, ensuring affected families not only meet their essential needs but are also enabled to begin the process of recovery. By focusing on both urgent relief and long-term resilience, GOAL continues to deliver life-saving support and restore dignity to communities impacted by natural disasters.
About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
The European Union and its Member States are among the world’s leading donors of humanitarian aid, providing lifesaving relief to millions affected by conflict and disaster worldwide. The EU’s humanitarian assistance is delivered through its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations based on needs, impartiality, and respect for human dignity.
