“For many years, Korea has stood side by side with the Syrian people. Korea is contributing to help the Syrian people overcome urgent humanitarian and development challenges. Korea itself rose from the ashes of war to achieve remarkable economic and social development, and it is in that spirit of shared experience that we wish to walk alongside Syria. Just as the Korean people once overcame devastation through unity, determination and international support, so too can Syria emerge stronger—with friends such as Korea at its side.” Said H.E. Mr. Geon Gyusuk, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea“This partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when international solidarity meets local commitment. Korea’s support enables us to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while also investing in Syria’s future. Together, we are reviving hope, restoring services, and reaching communities with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.” Said Ms. Meritxell Relaño, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in SyriaImplemented by UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, the projects will deliver life-saving services and sustainable solutions to millions of Syrians:UNDP’s REVIVE Project will clear 550,000 metric tons of debris, rehabilitate essential infrastructure, and create over 4,000 jobs in Aleppo, Homs, Deir-ez-Zor, and Rural Damascus.UNICEF’s Resilience for Children will reach 1.3 million people—including 800,000 children—with improved access to education, clean water, and maternal and child health services.WFP’s REACH Syria Initiative will provide six months of cash-based food assistance to 95,000 severely food-insecure people.WHO’s Health Access Project will deliver 40,000 dialysis sessions, install 20 diagnostic imaging machines, and improve health outcomes for over 160,000 people.The initiatives are aligned with Syria’s Humanitarian Response Plan and national recovery priorities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between international partners and national authorities.For media inquiries, please contact:- UNDP: Dania Darwish | dania.darwish@undp.org | +963989857937- UNICEF: Monique Awad | mawad@unicef.org | +963950044304 | Hasan Burhan | hburhan@unicef.org | + 963950 044 206- WFP: Hussam Alsaleh | hussam.alsaleh@wfp.org |+963932101139- WHO: Halah Kabash | kabbashh@who.int | +963953888427 | Mrinalini Santhanam | santhanamm@who.int 

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and UNOPS signed a $1.5 million project to help improve paediatric healthcare in Syria. The national healthcare system is facing critical challenges after years of conflict, marked by extensive damage to critical infrastructure, shortages of medical supplies and equipment, and insufficient electricity in health facilities. The burden of Syria’s health crisis falls most heavily on vulnerable populations, with children experiencing a severe shortage of paediatric care."In the face of immense needs, the people of Syria need urgent and practical solutions, both to respond to their current needs, but also to lay the foundation for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future. Together, we are building a lifeline for Syria's children, said Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief stated, “We are pleased to partner with UNOPS to strengthen healthcare capacities and enhance emergency health response for children in Northern Syria. Through providing specialized medical equipment for pediatric intensive care units and pediatric cardiac surgery, we are helping to deliver high-quality medical care to Syria's most vulnerable children, building a healthier and brighter future for them and their families.”In close cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Health, the project will bring  vital healthcare services to more than 840,000 children through equipping four national hospitals, namely; Hama Maternity and Children's Hospital, As-Salamiyeh National Hospital and As-Suqaylabiyah National Hospital will be equipped with essential medical equipment to provide urgent medical care for children and establish paediatric intensive care units, addressing the gap in paediatric healthcare across Hama Governorate.In Aleppo, Ibn Roshed Hospital for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery will also be equipped with the medical equipment to establish the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery. This new department will provide critical medical care for children with heart conditions.It is envisaged that this project will contribute to the UN Strategic Framework (UNSF) 2022-2025 Syria and SDG3: good health and wellbeing. 

UN-Habitat and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have announced a new partnership to restore water services for communities in Syria and Sudan facing severe humanitarian crises. The USD 3.27 million agreement was signed in New York by Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief, and Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80).
At the signing ceremony, Ms. Rossbach appreciated KSrelief’s commitment to alleviating human suffering and investing in long-term recovery, especially as the world faced a global housing crisis.
“Access to water and basic services is a matter of survival and dignity and a prerequisite for adequate housing,” said Anacláudia Rossbach. “This partnership is aligned with UN-Habitat’s strategic plan from 2026-2029 and will restore essential services for hundreds of thousands of people, helping them to rebuild their homes and communities and improve their quality of life.”
After 14 years of conflict, much of Syria’s urban infrastructure is damaged. The country is currently facing its worst drought since 1958, with national water availability at just half the global average and up to 70 percent of residents in some areas relying on expensive water tankers. The KSrelief-funded project Enhancing Water Security aims to rehabilitate central water reservoirs and towers in Al-Malihah, a town on the outskirts of Damascus, restore the piped water network, and reconstruct damaged infrastructure. The project is expected to benefit 70,000 people — including returnees, women, and persons with disabilities — by increasing water availability and reducing household dependence on tankers.
Sudan is facing the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with nearly 10 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to the IOM. The KSrelief-funded project Emergency Support for Returnees in Al-Jazirah State is expected to improve access to safe drinking water for 200,000 people across five high-need localities. Planned works include drilling new boreholes equipped with solar-powered pumps, rehabilitating existing wells, and training technicians to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance.
"At KSrelief, we believe that access to clean water is not just about survival—it is about restoring human dignity and enabling communities to rebuild their lives. We value our partnership with UN-Habitat as we work together to improve the quality of life for affected people in Syria and Sudan.
This USD 3.27 million investment reflects Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to stand with the most vulnerable, transforming lives through partnerships that deliver meaningful and sustainable change."
By combining humanitarian relief with sustainable, area-based approaches, UN-Habitat and KSrelief aim to strengthen local resilience, support safe and voluntary returns, and improve public health outcomes.

For more information, contact: Omnia Moussa, Communications Officer UN-Habitat ROAS omnia.moussa@un.org

About UN-Habitat 
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for sustainable urbanization. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries, supporting policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action. To know more, visit www.unhabitat.org or follow us on social media @UNHABITAT.
 About King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional and international organizations. To learn more, visit www.ksrelief.org

I speak not only as a humanitarian, but as a survivor. On 19 August 2003, I was present at the Canal Hotel in Baghdad when a bomb took the lives of 22 of my colleagues. That day changed my life. It reminded me that humanitarian work, while noble, does not come without a price. I carry the memory of those we lost, and I remain profoundly grateful for the dedication of humanitarians who continue to serve in the face of danger.
In Syria, the cost has been high, hundreds of humanitarian workers—including health professionals and volunteers—have been killed in the line of duty. And humanitarians keep paying the price.
These incidents are not isolated—they are part of a disturbing pattern of violence against those who serve.
Despite these risks, we have never left Syria. Since introducing the concept of “stay and deliver” during my first tenure as Resident Coordinator in 2012, the UN has remained present in every part of the country. We continue to stand with the people of Syria, delivering life-saving assistance and advocating for their rights and dignity.
This year, we call for an end to the attacks on humanitarians and civilians and impunity under International Humanitarian Law. It is a call to ensure that those who serve are not targets, and that their work is respected and safeguarded.
On this day, we remember our fallen colleagues. We honor their legacy by continuing their mission. And we call on all actors—governments, armed groups, and communities—to protect humanitarian workers and ensure safe access to those in need. #ActForHumanity.
Let us act for humanity. Let us stand together. And let us never forget those who gave everything so that others might live.