On 27 November 2024, fighting intensified in the north-west region of the Syrian Arab Republic between the former Syrian Arab Army forces and opposition forces, leading to the fall of the Assad government on December 8 and a caretaker government being instated.

Following the peak of 1.1 million newly displaced on 12 December 2024, approximately 522,000 have since returned to their areas of origin, leaving 627,000 people still displaced, of which almost 50 per cent are women and girls. Displacement shelters, particularly in north-east and north-west Syria, are overcrowded, often inadequately equipped and lacking privacy, which is heightening risks of gender-based violence for women and girls.

Due to insecurity as well damage to and destruction of several hospitals and medical care facilities, many health services suspended operations, leaving women and girls – including pregnant women – without critical care. Although some of these facilities have gradual reopened, the health sector remains highly overstretched, with a lack of specialized medical personnel, and critical shortages in medical supplies and equipment – which has been further compounded by incidents of looting.

Between 27 November 2024 and 7 January 2025, UNFPA reached nearly 185,000 people with sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence prevention, mitigation and response activities. In 2025, UNFPA is seeking US$71.9 million to support women and girls in Syria. To date, US$5.6 million has been funded, with US$66.3 million still needed.