(extract)

SDC assistance

Due to the deteriorating security linked to the crisis situation, the Swiss Embassy in Damascus has temporarily been closed. SDC Syria programme is being coordinated from SDC Office in Amman (Jordan).

So far, SDC has committed the following funds for victims of the ongoing crisis:

• ICRC: CHF 1.75 Mio. allocated for the 2011 and 2012 Syria Appeals

• UNHCR: CHF 1.55 Mio. including: CHF 1.12 Mio. earmarked contribution for the assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey and deployment of two Swiss shelter experts seconded to UNHCR in Lebanon and Iraq for 6 months each; CHF 430’000 for cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan

• UNICEF (Syria and Jordan): CHF 180’000 earmarked contribution for psycho-social and physical rehabilitation for refugee and displaced children in Syria and Jordan

• OCHA: deployment of a Swiss Humanitarian Affairs Officer seconded to OCHA Regional Office in Egypt for 3 months supporting OCHA operations in Syria

• Direct Action SDC: CHF 290’000 for a SDC feasibility study for cash assistance and quick impact projects to support communities in Jordan and Lebanon hosting Syrian refugees

• Direct Action SDC: CHF 1.3 Mio. for supporting families and communities in Northern Lebanon hosting Syrian Refugees (cash for shelter)

• FAO: CHF 792’000 for emergency assistance for poor herder families in Syria

Despite the difficult context in Syria, SDC continues to implement its ongoing projects:

• Setting up a National Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction: with the UN Development Program (UNDP)

• Strengthening early warning systems on drought: with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

New projects are currently tracked up:

• Strengthening and support coordination of humanitarian aid in Syria

• Rehabilitation of 10 public schools in the North of Jordan hosting Syrian children

• Support to the UNICEF lead Water and Sanitation assistance in Jordan.

• Protection and psycho-social support to children in Lebanon and Jordan via UNICEF