Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
During the reporting period, the sector cumulatively reached 1.8 million refugees with unconditional cash transfers, including more than 1,4 million through the ESSN programme. The multi-purpose cash support allows beneficiaries to cover costs such as rent, utilities and food. ESSN post-distribution monitoring indicates that during the quarter, although the results remain better than the 2017 baseline, beneficiaries have experienced both declines in food consumption levels and increased use of certain of negative livelihood coping strategies including more debt. Therefore, the effects of rising living costs will need to be monitored carefully during the quarter 4 period.
During this period, five temporary accommodation centers (TACs) where refugees were living in tented accommodation have been closed. The 22,000 refugees living in these TACs were given the option to relocate to alternative TACs or to host communities of their choice. Over 70% of the former TAC residents opted to move to host communities and received one-off cash support to cover their initial rent and other living costs. Sector partners also supported those opting to move to other TACs with transport assistance.
Significant progress has been achieved in supporting infrastructure projects in municipalities hosting large numbers of Syrians under temporary protection. Support included the construction of waste transfer stations and delivery of backhoe loaders. Contracts have been also signed for the delivery of semi-trailers and firefighting vehicles for selected municipalities.
Efforts to build strengthened linkages between the Basic Needs and Livelihoods sectors remain a priority. Discussions surrounding opportunities for refugees to move from Basic Needs assistance to Livelihoods activities and the promotion of self-reliance and resilience are ongoing with plans in place to continue bringing the two sectors closer to promote this transition through more joined up programming and planning.