Syrian Arab Republic: Earthquakes - Syria Situational Updates - As of 22 March 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

• Torrential rain has affected north-west Syria, resulting in at least 30 flooded displacement sites and some1,500 destroyed or damaged tents.

• More than 5,900 people have been killed and an estimated 350,000 people are displaced due to the earthquake in Syria.

• The earthquake caused an estimated US$3.7 billion in physical damages and $1.5 billion in losses in Syria, based on the World Bank’s Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA).

• 235,275 people have received access to water or sanitation services following the small-scale rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure in affected areas across Syria.

• A massive 10-day vaccination campaign vaccinated some 1.7 million people against cholera in Aleppo and Idleb Governorates.

• In a high-level visit, the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Mr Martin Griffiths, met humanitarian partners and the Government of Syria in Damascus on 21 and 22 March. During the visit, the ERC discussed the ongoing humanitarian situation, reviewed progress on the humanitarian response and advocated for better access, so that humanitarian partners can reach the most vulnerable communities impacted by the earthquake.

• The International Donors' Conference in Brussels on 20 March for relief and rehabilitation in Syria and reconstruction in Türkiye mobilized €7 billion. Some €950 million for Syria was pledged.

• The Syria Earthquake Flash Appeal for February to May is 78.6 per cent funded but the HRP remains at 5.7 per cent.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Over the weekend, torrential rain and flooding affected north-west Syria (Dana, Maaret Masrin, Jandairis, Mhambal, Armanaz and Idleb). At least 30 displacement sites were flooded, and many of these camps had been set up to house families displaced by the earthquakes. Some 1,500 tents were destroyed or damaged during the flood. An estimated 8.8 million people have been affected by the earthquakes across Syria, of whom around 350,000 are displaced. This has had a compounding effect on the vulnerability of communities who have already been facing 12 years of hostilities and major economic decline. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country.

Ahead of the International Donors’ Conference in Brussels, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on behalf of humanitarian partners, produced a Syria Earthquake Needs and Response Overview on 15 March, that provides an overview of the humanitarian needs, response and gaps across Syria. The February earthquakes have had a devastating impact on the people of Syria and have left many people without adequate shelter, food, water and essential services. The Overview states that the earthquakes destroyed more than 2,260 buildings, damaged more than 32,000 buildings and killed more than 5,900 people in Syria. In addition, more than 11,200 people have been injured but many have not been able to receive the level of healthcare that they need. The earthquakes have also exacerbated protection, gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection risks.

According to the World Bank’s Syria Earthquake: Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) 2023, physical damages caused by the earthquake are estimated at $3.7 billion, while losses are estimated at $1.5 billion, bringing the total estimated impact to $5.2 billion. The RDNA was conducted in all six Governorates most impacted by the earthquake: Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Latakia, Raqqah and Tartous. The RDNA estimates that recovery and reconstruction needs across these six Governorates would cost $7.9 billion, with needs in the first year following the earthquake estimated at $3.7 billion and $4.2 billion in the second year.

The resurgence of cholera is posing significant health threats and concerns. As of 4 March, more than 100,598 suspected cholera cases and 104 associated deaths have been reported across all 14 governorates in Syria. The most affected governorates are Idleb (31,422 cases or 31 per cent), Aleppo (24,839 cases or 25 per cent) and Deir Ez-Zor (20,673 cases or 21 per cent). With many IDPs living in crowded shelters, ensuring access to essential healthcare, water and hygiene are important to minimize the risk of disease outbreaks including cholera, influenza, COVID-19, measles and acute watery diarrhea.

A joint statement was issued on 15 March by the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Syria, Mr El-Mostafa Benlamlih, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Mr Muhannad Hadi, to mark the 12-year anniversary since the Syria Crisis broke out in 2011. In the joint statement, it was acknowledged that Syria remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian and protection emergencies, with the highest number of people in need since the onset of the conflict. The devastating earthquake in February has added yet another layer of tragedy and despair. The joint statement reaffirmed the humanitarian community’s commitment to continue supporting those most in need with life-saving assistance complemented by the early recovery interventions in communities across Syria. In a high-level visit, the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), Mr Martin Griffiths, met humanitarian partners and the Government of Syria in Damascus on 21 and 22 March. During the visit, the ERC discussed the ongoing humanitarian situation, reviewed progress on the humanitarian response and advocated for better access, so that humanitarian partners can reach the most vulnerable communities impacted by the earthquake.

Humanitarian partners continue to scale up their response in earthquake-affected areas across Syria by providing critical assistance including food, water, medical supplies and health care, psychosocial support and learning spaces, hygiene kits, sanitation support, tents, blankets, collective shelter management, mattresses, winter clothes, and multi- purpose cash.