In 2025, the MENA region faced overlapping crises including conflict, displacement, economic collapse, disease outbreaks, and climate shocks, placing children at risk and disrupting access to services.
This year, the International Day of Mine Awareness on April 4th serves as a reminder of the need to invest in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and the importance of clearing land of explosive threats, enabling communities to live safely while investing in their resources.
In Gaza, restrictions on aid operations mounted as crossing closures were accompanied by the suspension of humanitarian movement coordination, medical evacuations, returns of residents from abroad, and staff rotations. The closure of the crossings drove up prices and increased reliance on humanitarian assistance.
The situation in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa governorates has largely stabilized in recent days, following the agreement announced on 30 January 2026. Active hostilities have subsided, bringing a greater sense of calm, even as localized incidents, precautionary security measures, and community concerns persist in many areas.
On 11 January, a ceasefire agreement was announced, following which initial, limited return movements were observed, particularly to the Ashrafiyeh neighbourhood. Returns to Ash-Sheikh Maqsoud remain gradual, pending authorization and completion of UXO clearance.
Over 1.9 million internally displaced persons and close to 1.3 million Syrian refugees have returned to their areas of origin or other locations across Syria. Around 57 per cent of the returnees are children.
Children in the Syrian Arab Republic continue to face significant vulnerabilities after 14 years of conflict. Despite renewed engagement following the change in authorities in late 2024, humanitarian needs are rising due to large-scale returns, economic decline, climate shocks and damaged infrastructure.
This report outlines the patterns of contamination, assesses risk zones, and identifies the operational consequences for actors engaged in civilian protection, reconstruction, and stabilization in southern Lebanon.
The humanitarian situation in southern Syria remains unpredictable, with insecurity, displacement, and service disruptions continuing to affect communities across As-Sweida, Dar’a, and Quneitra governorates during the reporting period.
In 2025, UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal for Syria requires US$488 million to meet urgent needs of children and families across the country.
Since December 2024, nearly 1.86 million internally displaced persons and over 1 million Syrian refugees have returned to their areas of origin. Many are facing significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, limited services, and ongoing insecurity.
The security situation across southern Syria remains unpredictable, with ongoing incidents contributing to instability in rural areas. Recent weeks have seen localized tensions, including armed clashes, criminal activity, Explosive Ordinance (EO) explosions and disruptions affecting civilian safety and mobility.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) revealed in its latest report, released today, 70 civilians were killed in Syria in September 2025, including seven children, three women, and three individuals killed due to torture.
Despite urgent needs, 62 per cent of UNICEF’s response remains unfunded. Without timely support, the most vulnerable children risk missing access to critical, lifesaving services.
Between 6 and 12 August, the security situation in As-Sweida Governorate remained tense, with multiple incidents of armed violence and clashes reported across both rural and urban areas.
Hostilities continued in As-Sweida Governorate, particularly the western countryside, despite a ceasefire agreement, contributing to a volatile security environment and impacting civilian safety.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Syria led the first high-level, inter-agency mission to As-Sweida Governorate since the onset of hostilities, visiting As-Sweida City, Shahba, and Salkhad towns to assess humanitarian needs and deliver assistance.
Humanitarian access due to roadblocks, insecurity and other impediments to As-Sweida remains constrained, hampering the ability of humanitarians to assess need and to provide critical life-saving assistance.
Just after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on 19 January 2025, Israeli forces launched on 21 January a major militarized operation in the West Bank, dubbed “Iron Wall”. The operation began in Jenin, but soon expanded across the northern West Bank, with the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams being at the centre of operations.
Since the start of 2025, 493 EO incidents took place across Syria resulting in 390 deaths including 108 children and the injury of 536 civilians including 205 children.
