According to a report published by the aid organization Handicap International (HI) on Sunday, over 28 percent of the Syrian population relying on humanitarian assistance has a disability. The organization further stated that individuals with disabilities are largely excluded from reconstruction programs because many schools and hospitals are not built to be barrier-free, compounding the problem of severely limited medical care in Syria.
The health system in Syria is heavily compromised. The report reveals that only 57 percent of hospitals are fully functional, and more than half of the healthcare staff has left the country. Rehabilitative specialists, such as physiotherapists and prosthetics technicians, are extremely scarce outside of major urban centers. Furthermore, the number of victims resulting from landmines and unexploded bombs is alarmingly high. Between December 2024 and May 2026, 2,288 victims were officially registered, which included 808 fatalities and 1,477 injuries. Children are reportedly the most vulnerable, as they are frequently victims of explosive weapons.
Significant deficiencies also persist within the educational sector. Many schools in Syria are inaccessible, which creates substantial barriers to entry for disabled children. Of the schools examined, only 41 percent met the minimum accessibility standards. There is a lack of teacher training concerning inclusive education, contributing to the fact that over 60 percent of school-aged children with severe disabilities have never been educated.
