North East Syria Dashboard - October 2017

RESPONSE OVERVIEW

• The overall humanitarian and protection situation for civilians displaced from Ar-Raqqa city remains of high concern, particularly with regard to explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination, amongst other factors. Between 20 October and 13 December, reportedly 209 civilians were reportedly killed and hundreds of others injured due to the presence of explosive hazards in Ar-Raqqa city. ERW mapping and clearance is required to ensure access for humanitarian partners and create a safe environment that is conducive for voluntary returns.

• The humanitarian community has developed a joint position paper on the return to Ar-Raqqa city, highlighting the imperative of safety, voluntary, well informed and sustainable return as the criteria guiding any intervention in support to the return of the displaced population.

• Displacements from and within Deir-ez-Zor governorate continued due to heavy fighting and airstrikes. Large influxes of IDPs from Deir-ez-Zor governorate are straining existing capacities and services in IDP sites across north-eastern Syria resulting in increased humanitarian and protection needs.