ReliefWeb

Highlights

Situation

This winter has brought harsh conditions including sub-zero temperatures, freezing rain and snow across Syria and countries hosting Syrian refugees, compounding the impact of the ongoing conflicts and displacement on vulnerable children and their families. There are reports of child deaths in Syria and Lebanon, as well an increase in illnesses, such as upper respiratory tract infections, associated with exposure to cold temperatures.

Overall Response

• To date UNICEF has distributed winter clothing, blankets, heating supplies, cash and vouchers, with 916,000 children in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey of the 1.3 million target children benefitting from all or part of the winter support package. Note: Targets and results are pending updates from Turkey.

• UNICEF has focused the response in elevated areas of the countries and on young children.

• UNICEF requires US$ 11.3 million for remaining winter response interventions for vulnerable children.

Syria

• Winter clothing, blankets and school heaters distributed so far to benefit 315,000 children of the 400,000 children originally targeted. However, with the Non Food Item sector under-funded UNICEF now plans to target an additional 100,000 children, and urgently requires US $5 million.

• An additional 35,000 children have received blankets in North and South Syria under the Whole of Syria approach.

• Funding gaps are US$ 5 million to urgently procure additional winter supplies.

Iraq

• Winter clothing kits have so far been distributed to over 200,000 children in over 100 hard to reach and high altitude.
Additionally UNICEF has distributed thermal blankets; is supporting school winterization with oil heaters, and insulation; and is providing emergency water and sanitation services and supplies to displaced populations.

• Sustainable water networks have been put in place in Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Dahuk.

• Gaps remain significant with 200,000 children living in poor households requiring blankets and hygiene supplies.

Lebanon

• 80,000 children (0-14 years old) living in high altitude tented settlements received winter kits between November and December 2014, prior to the arrival of the winter storm, representing approximately 70% of the Syrian children residing in informal settlements across Lebanon. An additional 20,000 Palestinian children received vouchers for clothing.

• An additional 104,200 children benefited from UNICEF response measures including drainage kits, safe drinking water, plastic sheeting, and High Energy Biscuits.

• UNICEF has just received approval from Ministry of Education and Higher Education to commence delivery of fuel for classroom heating for 583 schools to benefit 155,000 children.

Jordan

• UNICEF has reached over 100,000 vulnerable Syrian refugee children and their families in camps and communities through both winter clothing kits and cash assistance.

• UNICEF requires US $3,340,000 to reach vulnerable populations with unconditional cash assistance, thermal blankets, plastic sheeting, de-sludging and de-watering in flooded areas of refugee camps.

Turkey

• In November 2014, the first round of winter clothing was delivered to children and families in Suruc, Sanliurfa province, for refugees from Kobane. To date support has included 22,200 sets of thermal underwear for children living in the temporary shelters and in host communities. UNICEF winter clothing items for newly arrived children includes coats, sweaters, winter trousers and socks. UNICEF has also provided school heating systems for 40,000 children, and procured winter outwear for infants and winter clothing which will reach an additional 32,000 children by end January.