Attachments
Highlights
• Over 425,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the escalation in Lebanon.
• Around 28 per cent of those crossing the border are Lebanese nationals, and approximately 58 per cent of the population crossing the border are children.
• In the reporting week, UNICEF through its partners vaccinated 729 children (318 girls) against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT3), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
• Over 500 children (266 girls) were screened for child wasting and 385 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) were screened for severe wasting during reporting period.
• UNICEF requires US$ 68.2 million to continue its response and fulfil the most immediate needs of the displaced population.
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
- Over the reporting period, the arrivals at the various border crossing points continued with steady but reduced inflows. As of 20 October 2024, approximately 425,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon started on 23 September. This significant influx of displaced people includes approximately 72 per cent Syrians and 28 per cent Lebanese, and a few from other nationalities. Homs, Rural Damascus, and ArRaqqa Governorates have recorded the highest numbers of new arrivals to date.
- Since 24 September, over 37,500 people have arrived in northeast Syria, mostly in Ar-Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, and Al-Hasakeh Governorates. As of 16 October, around 4,000 people, including 80 per cent women and children, have fled the conflict in Lebanon into northwest Syria. According to UNHCR, over 3,000 people have crossed through Aoun al-Dadat and are now residing in host communities.
- According to UNICEF’s partner Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), as of 17 October, over 13,000 displaced Syrians from Lebanon have crossed into Aleppo Governorate. Additionally, 142 Lebanese refugees have also arrived in the Jebel Saman district within the Governorate.
- According to UNRWA, 7 635 Palestinian refugee families representing approximately 3,000 people, including at least 202 children enrolled in schools in grade 1 to 9, in Damascus, central, north and south of Syria.
- SARC reports indicate that of the total estimated arrivals, 58 per cent are children, with at least 360 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). SARC has provided family tracing and reunification services to eight families and is following up on search and reunification request to locate and reconnect children with their families.
- There are currently 35 hosting centres across Syria, of which 17 are accommodating over 5,000 new arrivals from Lebanon, primarily Lebanese refugees. In Rural Damascus Governorate, the Herjaleh hosting centre is sheltering approximately 260 Lebanese families (1,015 people). In Tartous and Lattakia Governorates, 12 hosting centres and two reception centres are providing shelter to 950 Lebanese families (approximately 3,200 people). In Homs and Hama Governorates, five hosting centres are accommodating 161 Lebanese families (841 people).