Attachments
Background
Recent developments in Syria, including the escalation in hostilities, have added to humanitarian needs in a country where more than 16 million people already required humanitarian assistance.
Since 28 November, approximately one million people – most of them women and children – have experienced displacement from a range of areas, including Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Idleb governorates. More than one in five people are being displaced for at least the second time. Significant and growing return movements have also begun to be reported since 7 December.
Many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have arrived in cities and towns near conflictaffected areas, where reception centres and shelters have been established. Reception centers are overcrowded, and resources are limited, making it difficult to meet the needs of all displaced persons. Nevertheless, emergency aid, including tents, blankets, and food, has been distributed. Protection services, including support for women and children, and health services like nutrition screenings and medical consultations, are being provided. Efforts are underway to improve sanitation and hygiene facilities in shelters and reception centers to prevent diseases outbreak and ensure basic living standards for IDPs. There is an urgent need for more shelter, food, non-food items, and sanitation facilities. Expanding protection services and health support, particularly for vulnerable groups, is also critical.
Conflict and insecurity have disrupted critical transportation routes, limiting the movement of people and goods, and also affecting the delivery of aid. Some looting of civilian properties and factories, as well as warehouses holding humanitarian supplies has been reported.
The unofficial exchange rate hit a record high, reaching SYP25000/$1 in Damascus and SYP41,000/$1 in Aleppo. Commodity prices have increased sharply with reports of shortages of goods in Damascus.
Humanitarian Situation Overview:
Since the escalation of hostilities on November 28, approximately one million people have been displaced internally. This includes 155,000 people experiencing secondary displacement. The majority of those displaced are women and children, with women and girls comprising nearly 50 percent of those forced to flee their homes. The most affected governorates are Aleppo, with 542,600 displaced people, followed by Hama (347,100) and Homs (26,000).
Since the fall of the Government in Damascus on 8 December, clashes have been reported in Manbij (Aleppo Governorate) and Deir-ez-Zor, with less fighting reported in other areas. Conflict has damaged civilian infrastructure and humanitarian assets, and disrupted services, in northeast Syria. Around 185 schools in Raqqa, Al-Hasaka, and Tabqa have been repurposed as shelters for IDPs, disrupting education for nearly 185,000 students. Healthcare services are under strain, with hospitals like Ar-Raqqa National and Maternity Hospitals preparing for increased patient loads due to the influx of displaced individuals. WASH services are also impacted, with efforts underway to provide WASH facilities in collective centers. Additionally, the displacement has overwhelmed transit sites, highlighting the urgent need for winterization supplies, communal cooking facilities, and core relief items to support vulnerable populations. Hostilities along the road between Qamishli and Damascus have been hindering population movement and the transportation of humanitarian shipments.
This has made it difficult to deliver essential aid to affected areas. Additionally, the capacity of reception centers in cities like Ar-Raqqa and Tabqa is limited, and these shelters, often converted sports centers and schools, are overcrowded with displaced people. These facilities urgently require additional resources, including WASH facilities, tents, food, and non-food items to meet the growing demand.