Far more than four million people have sought refuge in Syria's neighbouring countries Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. There too the situation of the 4.8 million Syrians living in refugee camps, improvised shelters or in urban areas has been deteriorating and the capacities of the host countries have been stretched. Lebanon alone, a country of four million inhabitants, has officially received over 1 million refugees, more than 25 percent of its own population – including unregistered refugees, the number is expected to be even higher.

The German Red Cross is supporting the emergency medical service of its sister national societies in Syria as well as in the neighbouring countries. Furthermore GRC, together with the national societies in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq, tries to ensure that the basic needs of refugees and the affected population are covered.