2024 in Review

From South Sudan to the Middle East to Ukraine, 2024 saw major lines crossed regarding the value of human life. A world where every life is not equally valued is not the kind of world where I want to live. It’s a place lacking hope. That’s why we fight for the value of every life, bringing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable in hard-to-reach places. Yet there’s an unsettling trend in the humanitarian sector, with funding not prioritised for the people who need it most. Irrespective of race, religion, or creed, the people who are most vulnerable should receive assistance first. Their lives matter as much as anyone else’s. My faith gives me long-term hope because I know that I am loved. Only light and love can overcome the darkness and hate in this world. Together we can find the courage to hope and restore hope to the most vulnerable among us. What a privilege! So let us rejoice to be able to participate in these wonderful acts of mutual aid. Thank you for supporting this valuable and vital work. Together we breathe new life and hope to millions of people in situations of extreme vulnerability—restoring unity to a divided world.

– Anne Reitsema, Chief Executive Officer

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AFGHANISTAN: Health and Nutrition

23,000+ women and children treated for malnutrition in 2024

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Somalia

In 2024, Somalia continues to face a wide range of humanitarian challenges, exacerbated by climate shocks, conflict and widespread poverty. The historic drought of 2020–2023, followed by severe flooding in late 2023, has heavily impacted the health infrastructures and overall well-being of the population. Nearly 7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, especially health care. Filling the huge gaps requires a multifaceted approach that focuses on expanding access to health and nutrition services, strengthening disease surveillance and response, providing maternal and child health services, and integrating mental health support. Medair is working hand-in-hand with local partners to address the critical health needs of the Somali population. "I have known this facility for a long time," explained the mother. "When I first came here, my son was malnourished, and he was successfully treated. Since then, I am sure that this facility provides good services, and I am happy that I can come here for free treatment."

*Names omitted for security reasons

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SOMALIA: Health

Delivered 210,000+ outpatient consultations

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South Sudan

Uniting our strengths to better support vulnerable people — How does the ERRM Consortium support people in need? The ERRM Consortium is a partnership of four international aid organisations which are on the look out for humanitarian solutions, alongside local partner organisations. Our global approach combines our resources to make us more effective. We pull from a large pool of qualified sector experts (in protection, water and sanitation, health, etc.).

*Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism*

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SOUTH SUDAN:

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

35,000+ people provided with safe drinking water

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Syria

The sudden collapse of the regime follows 13 years of conflict which has had devastating effects on communities in Syria. Deadly earthquakes in 2023, and significant displacement since November 2024—first from the conflict in Lebanon and then due to internal political shifts in Syria—have compounded humanitarian needs, especially for more than 16 million people who already needed help. According to residents from Aleppo, there is a high shortage of safe water. “Even when the water reached our homes after more than 10 days of outages, it was unsafe and undrinkable. Many children in our neighbourhood became ill after consuming it,” shared a citizen of Al Hamadanieh area in Aleppo, on December 19th. Medair has resumed activities in Aleppo to distribute cash assistance to more than 1,200 families, as well as rehabilitate water networks to provide safe water to communities, and is now completing the final stages of a shelter rehabilitation project for homes damaged by the earthquake in 2023. Elsewhere in the country, we have three new projects that will be starting in Deir ez Zor, rural Damascus and Dar’a in the coming weeks.

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SYRIA:

357,000+ people recieved help in 2024

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Lebanon

The situation in Lebanon is alarmingly dire. In recent weeks, the country has experienced intense airstrikes in villages and cities—some lasting up to five hours—escalating the conflict and causing significant devastation and casualties. This marks one of the worst escalations in many years. Lebanon, already facing severe economic and political crises while hosting 1.5 million refugees, is now also struggling with over 1.2 million newly internally displaced people. Destruction of infrastructure and shortages of resources disrupt aid efforts, impacting millions. Medair distributed over 12,500 mattresses and 20,700 blankets to families fleeing the conflict. In 2024, 76 collective shelters were rehabilitated. “My family and I no longer feel safe anywhere. My children are terrified, and I don’t know how to protect them. The airstrikes went on nonstop for five hours here, filling the area with thick black clouds of smoke. I am trying to remain calm for the sake of my children, but it’s impossible, especially with the constant sound of airplanes overhead.”

– Medair staff member living in Bekaa Valley

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LEBANON: Shelter and Aid

20,700+ blankets distributed to families fleeing the conflict

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Don't look away!

Can you imagine watching your child suffer from hunger, unable to provide them with food? Last month, Aisha's grandmother, Maryam, brought her to a Medair clinic seeking help. At 7 months old, Aisha weighed only 5kg—the average weight of a 2-month-old baby in Switzerland. Maryam shared: “Aisha was crying all the time— she was coughing, and her hands were cold.” Aisha urgently needs life-saving treatment—and tragically, she is not alone. Right now, 1 in 2 children under 5 in Afghanistan do not have enough food. They need your help today. Maryam shared her hope for her granddaughter’s recovery: “I trust these kind doctors. I feel they are like angels, and I hope my granddaughter will make a complete recovery in their hands.” Right now, we are working on the ground in Afghanistan, running health and nutrition clinics in remote, hard-to-reach communities. Last year, 94% of the patients treated in our nutrition clinics were discharged as cured!

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In 2024,

Medair provided assistance in 14 countries

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2025: Looking ahead

Medair's 2024 Impact Report emphasises our commitment to tackling the most urgent and forgotten humanitarian crises. By 2025, over 300 million people worldwide will be in need of assistance. Medair is working in Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Africa, and other regions affected by conflict and natural disasters. Together for Life and Hope, we are committed to putting the needs of vulnerable communities at the centre of our work. We do this by increasing resource mobilisation, developing strategic partnerships and introducing innovative solutions. We continue to provide basic access to health, nutrition, clean water and safe shelter, especially in the hardest-to-reach areas, enabling a more dignified and hopeful future.

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“It is a privilege to lead Medair's mission to save the lives of vulnerable families around the world and help them regain hope. Disasters and conflict have caused massive displacement in 2024, and Medair's mission has never been larger.”

– Anne Reitsema, Chief Executive Officer

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