In this episode we examine Syria’s deepening humanitarian and political crisis 10 months after the fall of the Assad regime: fractured governance, mass displacement, collapsing healthcare and education systems, severe food insecurity, and threats to religious minorities. The country faces one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, yet virtually no one seems to be listening.
We outline the immense and diverse scale of Syria's needs, the gaps in international response, and offer suggestions for where we may focus our intentions and prayers, including for inclusive governance, protection for minorities, aid and reconstruction, and healing between the country's communities.
Prayers and intentions begin at 18 minutes 50 seconds.
Suggested Intention Focus for this week
This week, as the scale of challenges facing Syria following the dramatic fall of the Assad regime last December is almost overwhelming, we suggest holding as our main intention:
We will that all international actors who are able will be moved to increase humanitarian aid, lift sanctions that hinder reconstruction, and coordinate investment for Syria's rapid and comprehensive recovery.
Please join us in holding this.
Chapter markers:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:28 Focus on Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis
00:09:29 The Impact on Education
00:10:59 Persecution of Religious Minorities
00:12:12 Economic Challenges and Reconstruction
00:14:10 International Community’s Response
00:18:50 Prayers and Intentions
Sources referenced in this episode:
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-syria
https://www.devex.com/news/a-window-for-us-engagement-with-syria-has-opened-but-not-for-long-111045
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/7/ceasefire-declared-between-syrian-forces-kurdish-fighters-after-one-killed
https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2025-07/syria-81.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRuIY124oiI
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164481
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/6/syria-declares-results-of-1st-parliamentary-poll-amid-inclusivity-concerns
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-security-situation-syria-july-2025-accessible
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vz44zzp5zo
https://crisisaction.org/our-work/syria-2025-present/
https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/bashar-al-assad/
https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2025-10/syria-84.php
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cg41ylwvwzet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Syria_clashes_(July_2025%E2%80%93present)
https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/assad
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrpx1vvr45o
https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syrian-arab-republic-humanitarian-response-priorities-january-december-2025
https://www.unrefugees.org/news/syria-refugee-crisis-explained/
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/07/07/-new-world-bank-report-highlights-syria-s-economic-challenges-and-recovery-prospects-for-2025
https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/fact-sheets/2025/factsheet_syria_apr2025.pdf
https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syrian-refugee-crisis-facts
https://www.developmentaid.org/news-stream/post/197622/world-bank-syrias-economy-set-for-modest-growth-amid-obstacles-in-2025
https://www.acaps.org/en/countries/syria
https://www.rescue.org/country/syria
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2025/10/world-bank-security-challenges-hamper-syrias-economic-growth/
https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1217/article/syria-3rp-2025
https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-and-policy-information-note-humanitarian-situation-syria-july-2025-accessible
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6874e035b1b4ebc2c2e46543/SYR+CPIN+Humanitarian+situation.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c34j1pzymn2t
https://timep.org/2025/07/01/economy-at-a-crossroads-the-social-protection-challenge-in-syria/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-policy-and-information-notes
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/is-a-new-era-of-turkey-syria-economic-engagement-on-the-horizon/
https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2025-08/syria-82.php
https://reliefweb.int/country/syr
https://www.maryknollmagazine.org/2025/07/religious-minorities-in-syria-are-killed-persecuted/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-of-concern/syria-country-of-concern
https://www.npaid.org/news/a-quiet-revolution-for-democracy-taking-shape-in-syria
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-religious-minorities-syria-july-2025-accessible
https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/middle-east/syria/report-syria/
https://syriaaccountability.org/57-civil-society-organizations-call-for-immediate-end-to-violence-and-protection-of-civilians/
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/2025%20Syria%20Policy%20Update.pdf
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2025/03/syria-distressing-scale-violence-coastal-areas
https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-syria/411-political-dissent-and-opposition-syria
https://minorityrights.org/country/syria/
https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/syria/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/syria-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-alawites-and-actual-or-perceived-assadists-syria-july-2025-accessible
https://persecution.org/2025/10/09/syrias-parliamentary-elections-a-historic-but-limited-step/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Syria
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/allowing-political-opposition-new-syria
https://unwatch.org/un-watch-hosts-event-on-escalating-crisis-of-minority-rights-in-the-syrian-arab-republic/
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/syria
https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2025-09/syrias-problems-are-more-sectarian-only-true-national-dialogue
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-10-2025-0335_EN.html
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/syria
https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6797/Syria%E2%80%99s-healthcare-system-nears-collapse-amid-worsening-conditions-and-reduced-foreign-aid
https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2025/09/syrias-reconstruction-a-deferred-dream
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Syria
https://www.harmoon.org/en/researches/the-challenges-of-reconstruction-after-syrias-devastation/
https://www.scholaro.com/db/countries/syria/education-system
https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/health-sector-syria-health-sector-bulletin-march-2025
https://www.nrc.no/news/2025/may/syria-better-conditions-infrastructure-investments-could-pave-the-way-for-millions-to-return
https://wenr.wes.org/2025/03/rebuilding-syrias-education-system-navigating-challenges-and-embracing-opportunities
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/05/1163616
https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/09/infrastructure.pdf
https://www.nrc.no/perspectives/2024/restoring-schools-and-futures-with-education-in-syria
https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1276/document/syrian-arab-republic-humanitarian-response-priorities-january-december-2025/article/1-humanitarian-needs-1
https://www.policycenter.ma/publications/syrias-post-conflict-recovery-challenges-and-prospects-reconstruction-and-stability
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln12056ppo
https://healthpolicy-watch.news/syrias-shattered-healthcare-system-needs-finance-and-trained-workers-volatile-security-situation-impedes-progress/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/6/syria-signs-14bn-infrastructure-deals-will-revamp-damascus-airport
https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1276/document/syrian-arab-republic-humanitarian-response-priorities-january-june-2025/article/34-education-5
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165429
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/econographics/charting-a-strategic-path-for-syrias-post-war-reconstruction/
Join us in person for intention holding:
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.
Our websites:
www.heartfulimpact.com/ Our show website.
https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.
https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.
https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.
https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.
Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.
Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.
Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.
Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).
Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.
Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.