The new report produced by our field teams shows that, between December 2025 and March 2026, living conditions for the Syrian population remained extremely fragile. In the areas where we work, many families returning home are confronted with overstretched services, damaged housing and an increasingly severe economic crisis.
The crisis in Syria is far from over. Even where violence appears less visible than during the most intense years of conflict, civilians continue to live in a context marked by instability, poverty and daily insecurity.
The latest INTERSOS report analyses the situation in six locations: Kafr Zeita, Khattab and Taybet al-Imam in Hama Governorate; Sinjar and Tamanah in Idleb Governorate; and Beit Sawa in Rural Damascus. The findings are based on the daily work of our teams and on direct engagement with communities through field activities implemented with the support of the European Union. During the reporting period, our teams reached 750 women and girls and 397 men and boys through information sessions, legal counselling and support activities for the most vulnerable people.
Compared with the previous trimester, the report highlights an increasingly complex and layered crisis. The return of Syrian families does not automatically translate into improved living conditions. Many people are returning to communities still deeply affected by years of conflict, where damaged homes, overcrowded schools, weak public services, lack of documentation and limited livelihood opportunities make daily life extremely challenging. In this context, return places additional pressure on already fragile local systems and can itself become a source of vulnerability.
One of the most consistent findings of the report is the impact of the economic crisis. For many families, employment opportunities remain scarce, while basic necessities such as water and heating are becoming increasingly difficult to afford. As household incomes continue to shrink, families are often forced into harmful coping strategies, including school dropout, child labour and early marriage. At the same time, economic pressure exacerbates existing family tensions, increasing psychological distress and the risk of domestic violence.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most pressing concerns. The data collected shows that perceptions of gender-based violence remain high across all assessed locations, reaching 91% in Kafr Zeita, 72% in Beit Sawa, 69% in Taybet al-Imam and 60% in Tamanah. Many cases, however, continue to go unreported due to stigma, fear and the lack of safe spaces where survivors can seek support.
The situation of children and adolescents is also deteriorating. Child labour and school dropout remain closely linked to poverty and the growing pressure on families. In several locations, schools are overcrowded, damaged or difficult to access. In Khattab, for example, young people reported classrooms with more than 70 students, making learning extremely difficult. In Taybet al-Imam, a mother explained that she had stopped sending her son with Down syndrome to school because he was being bullied by classmates.
The lack of civil documentation and disputes related to housing, land and property continue to represent major obstacles to stability. Following the increase recorded in the previous quarter, the new report confirms that these issues continue to affect the lives of returning families. Challenges related to civil documentation reached 100% in Kafr Zeita, while housing, land and property issues reached 81% in Taybet al-Imam.
The presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance further complicates an already difficult situation. This threat has become a structural feature of daily life, affecting communities long after active conflict has subsided. Unexploded ordnance can be found among the rubble of destroyed homes, in agricultural fields and in the spaces where children play. As a result, cultivating land or repairing a house can become a life-threatening activity, slowing recovery efforts and making it harder for families to rebuild their lives.
It is in response to this overlapping and interconnected set of needs that INTERSOS’ work remains essential. Across the affected areas, our teams provide psychosocial support, case management, legal assistance, child-focused activities, safe listening spaces and protection services for the most vulnerable people.
In Syria, returning home still does not mean being able to start over. For many families, return marks the beginning of a new struggle: rebuilding a house, obtaining legal documents, enrolling children in school, accessing healthcare, securing an income and simply feeling safe again. This is why continued support for Syrian communities remains crucial, ensuring that the most vulnerable people are protected and accompanied as they rebuild their lives.