Nonprofit organizations in Syria are on the ground working to alleviate the ongoing food insecurity crisis. Fourteen years of conflict and humanitarian crises have left Syria’s people struggling to meet their basic needs. Access to food is the most urgent need of the Syrian people. Repeated crises – the earthquake in 2023 and acute political instability in 2024 – have displaced millions. Displacement, conflicts and humanitarian crises made it difficult for nonprofits to get aid to those in need and have plunged a majority of Syrians into poverty. Despite serious obstacles, these five nonprofits are on the ground distributing aid to the Syrian people.

What to Know About Food Security in Syria

More than half of the people in Syria (12.9 million) are currently food insecure. Of those experiencing acute and ongoing hunger, pregnant women and children under 5 are the most at risk.

The food security situation is dynamic, with early indicators pointing to drought conditions in 2025. Unfortunately, this may deepen the hunger crisis.

Ongoing humanitarian crises make it difficult for nonprofit organizations in Syria to get aid to the people who need it most. The most recent crises are flash points against the backdrop of fourteen years of conflict.

The most recent crises are the February 2023 earthquake and the 2024 overthrow of the Assad regime. Now adding to the turmoil is the conflict in Lebanon that has created new displacement for people who had already fled from conflict back home in Syria, UNHCR reports.

Violet

A group of young people founded Violet in Syria in 2013 at the onset of the crisis in 2011. Violet’s Food Security and Livelihoods Program addresses the needs of the most vulnerable in Syria, “with a focus on those with special needs.” The Food Security and Livelihoods Program delivers food baskets, provides job training, support for Syrian farmers and agriculture and cash distribution to those in need.

Violet’s food baskets program provides families with food and supplies for infants ranging from milk and nutritional supplements to cribs. The Cash for Food program distributes cash assistance to displaced people so they can purchase food.

Syria Relief and Development

Syria Relief and Development is a nonprofit based in the United States that operates in Syria, Turkey and Jordan. The organization was founded in 2011 with a mission to “provide crisis humanitarian relief and plant the seeds of sustainable development for Syria.” Since its beginning, Syria Relief and Development has focused its attention on food security. This has been achieved by providing the Syrian people with food and basic necessities, such as Ramadan Food Kits. 

Takaful Al Sham

Founded in Turkey in 2013 to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Takaful Al Sham focuses on meeting the needs of children, youth and women. The organization is working to create food security in several ways. The Emergency Response, FS and Agriculture Program provides internally displaced Syrians with nutrition kits, cash, Ramadan baskets, food vouchers, fresh bread and nutritional supplements for women and children. Other aid includes services for farmers, installation of irrigation networks in local gardens and nutrition classes for parents.

World Vision

After the 2023 earthquake, World Vision worked with the WFP and the International Blue Crescent Foundation to launch programs to provide training, support and tools to Syrian farmers.

World Vision has served the needs of millions of people in Syria. Program activities include providing basic necessities, psychological support and education services.

People in Need

Founded in 1992 by “a group of Czech war correspondents who were no longer satisfied with merely relaying information about ongoing conflicts,” People in Need has become an integral part of the nonprofit network in Central Europe. People in Need is part of Alliance2015, a European nonprofit network.

In Syria, People in Need is supporting food security by funding education and support for entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

Since the 2023 earthquake, People in Need has provided emergency aid by distributing food, repairing infrastructure necessary for food networks to function, and providing for the basic needs of internally displaced Syrians.

– Caitlyn Erwin

Caitlyn is based in Asheville, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr