- 2 mins read time
- Published: 24th July 2025
Responding to the Latakia Wildfires
Communities displaced as fires tear through northern Syria
From 2 July 2025, intense wildfires swept across the northern countryside of Latakia Governorate in Syria, rapidly escalating into a major humanitarian emergency. Fuelled by extreme heat, dry weather conditions and strong winds, the fires spread quickly through forests, agricultural land and residential areas, devastating entire villages in their path.
The impact has been severe. More than 1,150 people have been displaced, with over 14,000 people affected overall. Homes, farmland and livelihoods have been destroyed, while smoke and poor air quality have raised serious health concerns, particularly for older people and those with existing respiratory conditions. As the fires advanced towards residential zones, several villages were fully evacuated to prevent loss of life.
Since the onset of the crisis, Oxfam has been actively engaged in the emergency response. Oxfam has been part of the joint operations room coordinating the response, working closely with local authorities and humanitarian actors. On the ground, Oxfam partners mobilised volunteers to support affected communities, coordinating closely with Syria Civil Defense teams who have been working tirelessly to contain the fires and protect lives.
As climate-driven emergencies like wildfires become more frequent and intense, communities already affected by years of conflict and economic hardship are pushed even further to the brink. Oxfam continues to work with partners to respond to immediate needs while advocating for greater support to help communities prepare for and withstand future shocks.
Related Blog Articles
-
What is a Mass Climate Lobby Day, and why you should attend!
Thousands of people gathered in Dublin on Saturday, 15 November to demand that the Irish government deliver faster and just climate action and see an end to fossil fuel power. Everyone deserves an affordable home powered by clean energy. It was a part of a Global Day of Action during the critical COP30 talks in Belém, Brazil where people across the globe turned up in huge numbers in major cities. -
Women Leading Change in Coastal Bangladesh
-
Why should you join the National Climate Demonstration?
Excitement is building for the upcoming National Climate Demonstration, which takes place on Saturday, 15 November starting at the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin at 1pm. -
Don’t take away protections for climate and workers
In 2024 the European Union (EU) passed the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), before the law can even come into effect, the European Commission is pushing changes that effectively dismantle this crucial law.
