Rights Groups Warn of Continuing Humanitarian Challenges in Post-War Syria

Rights Groups Warn of Continuing Humanitarian Challenges in Post-War Syria
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New reports on Syria highlight continuing humanitarian challenges after the fall of the previous government, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documenting hundreds of child deaths amid ongoing violence, while Human Rights Watch warns that large-scale reconstruction plans need stronger protections for displaced people and property rights.

Rights organizations have raised concerns over ongoing violence and reconstruction challenges in Syria, calling for stronger protections for civilians as the country enters a new phase following the fall of the previous government on December 8, 2024.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it documented the deaths of 784 children between December 8, 2024, and September 25, 2026. According to the group, 504 children were killed in 2025, while 246 child deaths were recorded from the beginning of 2026 until September 25.

The Observatory warned that children continue to face risks from armed violence, widespread weapons, and remnants of war. It separately recorded 255 deaths and 397 injuries caused by mines and unexploded ordnance since the beginning of 2026, including many children among the victims.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over Syria’s reconstruction efforts, warning that billions of dollars in planned investments require stronger legal safeguards to protect affected communities, including displaced people.

The organization said Syria’s transitional authorities announced a national recovery plan in March 2026, followed by international funding commitments and investment pledges, but current legal frameworks do not sufficiently guarantee public participation or consultation with communities affected by reconstruction projects.

Human Rights Watch highlighted challenges faced by returnees in areas such as rural Idlib, including shortages of water, electricity, sanitation, schools, and healthcare services. It also reported that around 95% of buildings in Damascus’ Jobar district were destroyed.

The organization called for binding protections for housing, land, and property rights, along with independent complaint and compensation mechanisms to ensure affected residents participate in reconstruction decisions.

The warnings come amid a major housing crisis in Syria, with government estimates indicating a shortage of around 1.9 million housing units in 2025, potentially rising to 2.5 million by 2030.