London, United Kingdom, January 1, 2025 —  The International Rescue Committee UK (IRC UK) is honoured to receive a donation from His Majesty King Charles III to support its critical humanitarian efforts in helping the citizens of Syria.

Syria, which ranks fourth on the IRC's 2025 Emergency Watchlist, continues to face profound humanitarian needs despite recent political developments. Years of conflict, political instability, and widespread displacement have deeply eroded the country’s resilience, leaving millions of people in need of lifesaving support. The IRC’s recent assessment in the northeast of the country, where hostilities persist, highlights ongoing challenges, including unsafe childbirth conditions, an alarming rise in cold-related illnesses, widespread water contamination, and critical shortages of medical supplies.

Towns and villages in Syria are becoming accessible for the first time in years and in response, the IRC is scaling up efforts to evaluate and address the urgent needs of these communities. This response is not only critical for the immediate survival of those affected but also essential to ensuring stability across the region.

Khusbu Patel, IRC UK Acting Executive Director, said,

"As the UK Patron of the IRC since 2021, His Majesty's contribution underscores his deep commitment to addressing urgent global challenges, and helping people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

“We are immensely grateful to His Majesty The King for his donation supporting our work in Syria. This assistance will enable us to provide essential services, including healthcare, child protection and emergency cash, to those people most in need. His dedication shines a vital spotlight on these pressing challenges, and we hope it inspires others to join in supporting these efforts."

Beyond Syria, millions of families are displaced by conflicts in places including Lebanon, Gaza, and Sudan. For a limited time, all donations to the IRC will be matched by a group of generous donors, increasing their impact. Help people impacted by crises survive, recover and rebuild their lives by donating to the IRC here.

Notes to Editors:

IRC’s Work in Syria

The IRC has been working in Syria since 2012 and is currently responding to needs in northern Syria, directly and in partnership with local organisations. We provide lifesaving health care, including support for health facilities and mobile health teams offering critical trauma care, as well as primary, reproductive, and mental health services. The IRC also delivers counselling and protection services for women and children, particularly survivors of violence, along with cash assistance, early recovery and early childhood development support. In Türkiye, we are supporting partners in delivering health care, protection, and emergency cash assistance to those affected by the 2023 earthquakes. We also support Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

The IRC's current response in Syria includes:

•    Deployment of three Mobile Medical Units to Raqqa and Tabqa

•    Distribution of 2,400 hygiene kits to families in emergency shelters

•    Preparation of emergency cash assistance for vulnerable populations

•    Critical rehabilitation work at Idlib National Hospital

•    Comprehensive health services, including trauma care and mental health support

The IRC reiterates its call on all parties to commit to a sustained and lasting peace in Syria. We urge immediate action to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, and guarantee unimpeded access to life-saving assistance. 

ENDS