Syria. Dispensaries of Hope

Even though the war is over, the crisis in Syria is not.

Today, millions of people live in extreme vulnerability: they cannot afford a medical visit, blood pressure medication, an ultrasound, or even a simple antibiotic.

For those living in remote villages or impoverished cities, even basic treatment can become unreachable.

Since 2017, we have been working to ensure that the most vulnerable Syrians can access the care they need. After supporting two hospitals in Damascus and one in Aleppo for seven years, we are now committed to promoting community-based healthcare through six local health facilities: the “Dispensaries of Hope.”

These are accessible, community-based centers where every day we provide:

With your contribution, we can keep the dispensaries open and continue providing an essential service for health and hope

Syria. Open Hospitals is a project launched in 2017 at the initiative of the Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, Cardinal Mario Zenari, with the support of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Its goal was to provide free medical care to the most vulnerable people in a country deeply affected by a severe humanitarian crisis.

In collaboration with three non-profit Catholic hospitals in Damascus and Aleppo—and later with five dispensaries—the project provided over 188,000 free medical treatments. In a context marked by extreme poverty, a shortage of healthcare personnel, and damaged infrastructure, Open Hospitals strengthened the local healthcare system by supplying equipment, training and supporting staff, and covering the costs of a wide range of treatments—from complex conditions to minor illnesses which, if neglected in a war-torn environment, can be just as deadly as bombs.

The project ensured continuity of care even during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the 2023 earthquake.

Concluded in 2024, it laid the foundation for a new phase: the Dispensaries of Hope, which continue to offer community-based healthcare to those unable to access hospitals. The project aims to reach 60,000 people in two years, with the support of: