Introduction

In light of the widespread destruction and collapse of infrastructure caused by years of war in Syria, the Syrian society faces unprecedented humanitarian and developmental challenges. Among the groups most affected by this catastrophic reality are persons with disabilities, who endure harsh living conditions due to the severe lack of basic services, deteriorating healthcare, and the absence of an enabling environment that safeguards their rights and meets their specialized needs. In addition, there is no comprehensive and unified reporting system on their numbers, types of disabilities, and specific needs.

In response to this urgent need, the First Syrian Conference for Persons with Disabilities is being launched to strengthen coordination and collaboration among key actors in the disability sector, support advocacy efforts, highlight priorities and needs, and facilitate the exchange of experiences. The conference will also provide an opportunity to launch pioneering initiatives in this field and to support existing ones in preparation for expanding their impact.