The Syrian Future Movement warmly welcomes the rapid relief efforts undertaken by the Syrian Ministry of Emergency Situations, which has deployed approximately 50 Civil Defense teams to address the second polar snowstorm this month, affecting several governorates including Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Tartus, Hama, Raqqa, Hasakah, and western rural Damascus.
These teams, working to clear roads blocked by snow accumulation, spread salt to prevent skidding, tow stranded vehicles, and provide ambulance and patient transport services, represent a model of effective response to natural disasters.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms its full support for these efforts, which protect the lives of Syrians and strengthen national unity during times of hardship.
We also believe that the Civil Defense’s work reflects the spirit of Syrian unity, bringing together teams from various governorates to assist affected areas, whether coastal, mountainous, or eastern.
Furthermore, we believe that confronting such polar storms, which lead to the closure of main and secondary roads and create layers of ice that increase the risk of accidents, reminds us that the Syrian people are capable of overcoming natural challenges, just as they overcame previous conflicts. We see this response as a reaffirmation of the role of civil society in supporting official institutions, while adhering to the values of humanity and solidarity that formed the core of the Syrian revolution.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the work of the Ministry of Emergency Situations is consistent with international obligations under the Additional Geneva Conventions (1977) and the United Nations Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai Framework 2015-2030), which emphasize a rapid and coordinated response to natural disasters to protect civilian populations.
Furthermore, in light of the political transition in Syria after 2024, we believe that these efforts should be part of a comprehensive national disaster management strategy that ensures coordination between governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations, while maintaining the independence of relief work to avoid any political interference.
The Syrian Future Movement sees this storm as an opportunity to strengthen national capacities in confronting climate change, which has become increasingly frequent in the region.
We also recommend the following:
- Enhancing equipment and training, drawing on Canada’s experience in dealing with winter snowstorms. Public Safety Canada established training programs for local teams and provided advanced equipment such as snowplows and snow removal vehicles.
We also recommend allocating an annual budget to train an additional 100 teams in Syria, focusing on weather forecasting techniques using GIS systems to identify high-risk areas in advance. - Regional and international coordination, inspired by Turkey’s experience in the 2023 earthquake, where it collaborated with neighboring countries to deliver rapid aid through EU civil protection mechanisms.
We recommend establishing a regional coordination center in Damascus, bringing together Syria and its neighbors (Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey) to exchange meteorological information and equipment, and requesting support from the World Health Organization to strengthen medical capabilities in mountainous regions. - Community awareness and environmental sustainability, drawing on Japan’s experience in managing natural disasters, where it introduced educational programs in schools on emergency preparedness. We also recommend launching national awareness campaigns through the media and schools to educate the population on how to deal with snow and ice, while integrating environmental policies to combat climate change, such as planting trees in mountainous areas to reduce the risk of avalanches.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the Syrian government to bolster its support for the Civil Defense with more resources and urges the international community to provide immediate technical and financial assistance to address this storm.
We also call on all Syrians to cooperate with relief teams, as unity in times of hardship is key to building a safe and prosperous Syria of the future.
