More than 170,000 people have been displaced following clashes linked to the Northeast Syria conflict in Aleppo, Hasaka, and Raqqa. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed the mass displacement on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Northeast Syria conflict drives mass displacement
OCHA reported that displacement sites remain overcrowded and that the situation in Hasaka governorate is volatile. Families fleeing southern Hasaka city are moving toward al-Shaddadi as humanitarian partners provide emergency assistance.
“Electricity and internet services have not yet been restored in Kobani, adding to the hardships faced by residents,” said Stéphane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson. “Partners continue to deliver essential food, medical, and winter supplies to affected communities.”
Ocha Syria reported that an inter-agency convoy from Damascus reached Qamishli, delivering food, health supplies, hygiene kits, and winter clothing. Additional convoys are planned to ensure continued support for displaced families in northeast Syria.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has also provided essential items to families in makeshift shelters to help them cope with the cold, highlighting the scale of immediate humanitarian needs. Several displacement sites are reportedly struggling to accommodate the influx of families, with some tents damaged by recent winter storms.
Humanitarian response gathers significant steam
Humanitarian partners are distributing bread, cash assistance, and mobile health services, including vaccinations and mental health care, to displaced populations. Nutritional support has been provided to over 1,500 children and hundreds of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Hasaka and the surrounding areas.
The recent displacement follows weeks of clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, government troops, and allied armed groups. A truce brokered this month has largely held, but sporadic incidents continue, exacerbating the need for ongoing humanitarian intervention.
Severe winter conditions, including a major storm last week, have damaged over 1,700 tents in Aleppo and Idlib governorates. Mountain routes along the Syrian coast remain closed, while flooding and road disruptions in Hama and Homs are restricting aid delivery.
UNDP is working with partners such as Germany’s KfW to restore critical services, including access to clean water, solar systems, and job creation, as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild affected communities. Previous initiatives, such as UNDP’s support for Afghan returnees, demonstrate the agency’s capacity to sustain recovery projects in conflict-affected areas.
Charity Journal has also reported on similar emergency support in Syria, including UNMAS and UNICEF’s mine action workshops in Aleppo, reflecting coordinated international responses to humanitarian crises in the region.
