United Nations in Syrian Arab Republic

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Syria:

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Story

05 February 2020

Giving children with a disability in Syria new hope

Damascus, Syria – In the crowded reception area of the Disability and Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Damascus, 13-year old Ali from Ar-Raqqa governorate waits for his name to be called. His father Jaseem waits patiently with him, optimistic that his son will receive the best possible treatment. Ali was injured during a bombardment of his area of Ein Issa city in north-east Syria two years ago while helping his father in their small shop. Shrapnel hit his leg and he was rushed to hospital, where doctors had no choice but to amputate his leg above the knee. Since then, he has been fitted with a series of artificial left legs to accommodate his growing body. The Disability and Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Damascus is one of the WHO-supported public health centres providing free-of-charge prosthetic services. Since 2018, WHO has provided the Disability and Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Damascus and three specialized nongovernmental organizations in the governorates of Damascus and Aleppo with prosthetic components and manufacturing materials for the production of 600 artificial limbs, thanks to the generous financial support of the people of Japan. In 2019, WHO provided more than 13,642 physical rehabilitation sessions and supported almost 170 beneficiaries with artificial limbs through its contracted nongovernmental organizations. “May this centre remain forever,” said Jassem, smiling at his son. “We live almost 450 kilometers away, and we come to the centre many times each year. We’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices to find the money for travel costs, but this is the best prosthetics centre in the country,” he added. After a few minutes, a technician takes Ali to have his leg measured. Ali gets up from his seat with the help of his artificial limb and moves to the measuring room. He waits anxiously as he watches the technicians measure the limbs of other patients. He has outgrown his artificial limb and needs a new one fitted. After being fitted with his new leg, Ali gets up on his feet and dances in a circle, laughing and spinning with joy, his eyes expressing hope and confidence for a better future. “I’m 13 years old and in the sixth grade at school; I want to become a teacher when I grow up,” says Ali with determination and immense self-confidence. “My disability doesn’t hinder my daily activities. I go to school, help my father and I’m very keen on playing football; I can go for long walks with the help of my artificial limb,” he adds proudly. “Ali is just one of dozens of children that the Disability and Physical Rehabilitation Centre helps every day. The centre provides free-of-charge rehabilitation services for all age groups, including the manufacturing of artificial limbs and physiotherapy” says Dr Rafif Dhieh, Head of the Disability and Physical Rehabilitation Center at the Ministry of Health. “We thank WHO for its continuous support that allows us to help people who come to our centre from all over the country,” he adds. “WHO is keen to support the treatment of war injuries, especially for those who have lost their limbs, with a view to reviving their hope of leading a normal and productive life,” says Dr Nima Abid, WHO Representative a.i. in the Syrian Arab Republic, before concluding: “In fact, WHO spares no effort to provide all possible support as part of its humanitarian work to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable people and to trigger a ray of hope for a better future”.

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Story

15 July 2021

“My Hero is You” mental health campaign enhances resilience among parents and children in Syria

One in 10 people in Syria live with a mild to moderate mental health condition. Prolonged exposure to conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to strain the mental well-being of families. In response, WHO Syria and local nongovernmental organizations in Rural Damascus recently launched the “My Hero Is You” campaign, which aims to reduce anxiety and fear associated with COVID-19 among children, and enhance the ability of parents to effectively talk to children about their well-being. The pilot campaign reached 5000 children and included messages about how to cope with stress delivered through a colouring book. The book was adapted to the Syria context and is based on a children’s story, entitled “My Hero is You”, developed by WHO and other members of an United Nations inter-agency committee on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. The campaign also included the provision of psychosocial support sessions and focus group discussions, attended by 2000 parents, caregivers and health educators who discussed their concerns, coping mechanisms and support strategies for children experiencing stress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In recent years, there has been increasing acknowledgement of the role of mental health in people’s overall well-being and, especially, children’s development. In Syria, the conflict was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact, so the need to address mental health has become even more acute. Thus, our increased focus on mental health aims at listening to communities – to their fears, concerns and experiences of coping with COVID-19 - and empowering them with tools and skills to stay mentally resilient and adapt to a new normal,” said Dr Akjemal Magtymova, WHO Representative in Syria. The campaign, funded by the WHO Regional Solidarity Initiative, was made possible thanks to partnerships with Al-Tal and Al-Qutayfah nongovernmental organizations, members of which received training by WHO prior to the campaign launch. The training was based on the WHO global package and adapted to the Syrian context to tailor it to the current needs of community workers who provide basic psychosocial support services to parents and children. “I am proud to be part of the initiative through which I could teach parents and children how to overcome anxieties and stay positive despite the circumstances surrounding them. It was a joy to observe children reading and colouring the story and imagining themselves travelling around Syria with characters, like Ario, to share with other children what they have learned from the book and what to do to prevent transmission of COVID-19,” said Ahmed Sousan, 30, a volunteer from Rural Damacus who received WHO training. “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and work life balance were among the recommendations I received during the psychosocial support sessions, in addition to tips on how to talk to children about COVID-19 related fears. It was important for me to share how the pandemic affected the mental well-being of my family. I felt others shared the same concerns and together we can overcome the challenges of the current times,” said one of the parents at the Al-Tal centre. Following the success of the pilot programme in Rural Damascus, WHO plans to replicate the initiative in Homs, Aleppo and other governorates this year to reach thousands of parents and children in need of mental health support; and in collaboration with the Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean will also share the initiative’s best practices for other countries in the Region to replicate. The original story was produced by WHO Syria and can be found here.

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Publication

29 July 2021

2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview: Syrian Arab Republic

Context and Humanitarian Impact Syria remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies characterized by ongoing hostilities which have killed hundreds of thousands of people, triggered one of the worst displacement crises of our time, and led to the widespread destruction of civilian and agricultural infrastructure, including homes, schools, health facilities, water supply and irrigation systems. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance - a 21 per cent increase compared to 2020 - with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. The decade-long crisis has inflicted immense suffering on the civilian population who have experienced massive and systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including more than 1,350 attacks on education and medical facilities and related personnel, bombardment which has caused over 12 million people to flee their homes, and arbitrary detention, abduction, torture as well as other serious abuses. Almost 12,000 children have been killed or injured since 2011, and 47 per cent of young people have had a member of their immediate family or close friend die. With around half of Syria’s children having known nothing but a lifetime of crisis - 2.45 million of whom were estimated to be out of school in 2020 alone - an entire generation is at risk of being lost. Long-standing and deep-rooted trauma, much of which remains unaddressed, means a mental health crisis looms large. While large-scale hostilities have reduced compared to the peak of the crisis, with frontlines not having shifted in a year, frequent mutual shelling and rocket fire continues to be observed along contact lines, often causing civilian casualties. The economy has experienced irreparable harm since the crisis began, with the gross domestic product having declined by 60 per cent and the government increasingly unable to raise sufficient revenue to subsidize essential commodities such as fuel and bread on which the most vulnerable families rely. The Syrian pound is in virtual freefall having lost 78 per cent of its value since October 2019, while price increases for staple goods are at an all-time high. More than 90 per cent of the population is now estimated to live below the poverty line. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this economic downturn by further reducing already sparse income-generating opportunities in a context where 50 per cent of the work age population is now estimated unemployed, and curtailing women and children’s access to critical services such as reproductive health and malnutrition screening. Remittances, on which millions of Syrians and particularly IDPs rely are understood to have halved, from US$1.6 billion in 2019 to US$800 million in 2020, due to global and regional economic contraction. COVID-19 has also impacted an already debilitated health system in which half of health facilities are partially or non-functional. Humanitarian Conditions and Needs Continued civilian casualties and forced displacement due to ongoing hostilities, in addition to reduced access to already degraded basic services, limited and inadequate housing and shelter options, and a wide array of specific protection risks and concerns continue to cause and perpetuate humanitarian needs among the population. While hostility-induced displacement in early 2020 generated additional needs amongst the population in Syria for internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities, particularly in North-west Syria (NWS), the ripple effects of the economic downturn - including the loss of income and livelihoods, sharply reduced purchasing power and resulting financial unaffordability of food and other basic goods - have exacerbated living conditions for people who were already in humanitarian need, and have tipped previously less affected segments of the population into humanitarian need, including food insecurity, across the country. The crisis continues to have a gendered impact, with women and adolescent girls paying a high price for harmful and discriminatory gender norms, including gender-based violence, while men and boys face elevated risks linked to arbitrary detention, forced conscription and explosive ordnance, among others. The economic deterioration has financially squeezed families further. Eighty-two per cent of assessed households in Syria report a significant deterioration in their ability to meet basic needs since August 2019, due mainly to price increases and loss of income. With the WASH, health and education infrastructure considered poorly or non-functional in 48 per cent of all sub-districts, access to basic services is severely hampered and increasingly unaffordable. This is particularly the case for over 1.9 million IDPs sheltering in informal settlements, planned camps and collective shelters, which offer inadequate protection against the elements and increase the risk of epidemic-prone diseases among this population. At the same time millions of people across Syria continue to live in damaged housing, particularly along former frontlines, with those paying rent now struggling more than before to do so. Facing deteriorated living standards, families are increasingly adopting harmful coping mechanisms. Seventy-one per cent of households and 75 per cent of female-headed households have taken on more debt since August 2019. Twenty-eight per cent of families now adopt ‘crisis’ or ‘emergency’ food related coping strategies, including withdrawing children from school to have them work instead, selling property, migrating due to lack of food and early child marriage. Twenty-two per cent of assessed communities report child labour as frequently occurring, while child marriage of young and adolescent girls (12-17 years) is reported by 18 per cent of assessed communities as a very common issue. Worsening living standards and an increase in harmful coping strategies have led additional segments of the population to develop life-threatening physical and mental health needs. These include a 57 per cent increase in the number of food insecure people to 12.4 million (up from 7.9 million in early 2020). Of these, 1.27 million people are considered severely food insecure – twice as many as in early 2020. In line with this trend, malnutrition rates continue to peak, with more than 500,000 children under the age of five chronically malnourished and 90,000 acutely malnourished. Mental trauma is widespread and under-assessed but certain to have long-term implications across all population groups. Twenty- seven per cent of households report signs of psychological distress in boys and girls, almost double the 2020 figure (14 per cent). Critical protection needs persist and have been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including gender-based violence (GBV), with women and girls across the country reporting that it has become a feature of everyday life. One in two people in Syria is estimated to be at risk of explosive ordnance; needs for humanitarian mine action interventions, particularly survey and clearance activities, are therefore significant but currently not met at scale. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country with nearly 47,000 cases confirmed in Syria, including at least 1,972 deaths as of mid-March 2021, further straining the health system and reducing people's access to both emergency and non-emergency care. In 2021, the increased scope and inter-linked nature of humanitarians needs among the population in Syria requires a comprehensive response across all sectors to save lives, protect people and prevent further deprivation. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.

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Story

14 July 2022

Ruqaya helps reunite children in Hasakeh with their families

February 2022, Hasakeh, northeast Syria – “No words can describe my happiness when I see a child run into their parents’ arms,” Ruqaya says smiling. Together with her team, she has successfully reunified more than 75 children with their caregivers. “We put in place a plan to trace the family members of each child. Things take time sometimes, but the team and I stay motivated as long as there is progress. It means that the distance between the child and his or her caregivers is getting shorter,” she adds. Ruqaya supervises a team of 38 case managers. They work with a UNICEF -supported partner in Hasakeh, northeast Syria, to connect children with essential services and to ultimately reunite them with their families and caregivers. It includes work in camps where internally displaced persons have taken shelter from violence. “Working with separated and unaccompanied children is not easy,” Ruqaya says. The case management process matches the needs of each child with the available services. It includes connecting children with various social and legal services. The process is often lengthy, and it can last for months. During the long years of conflict in Syria, Ruqaya and her colleagues have worked in extremely challenging situations. At times the job has taken a toll on Ruqaya. “During my first year on the job, I’d think about work even at home and I’d reflect on interactions with separated children and desperate families,” she explains. Yet, she is determined to continue the work. “Children have the right to live in a safe environment, to grow up with their families and among their siblings,” reiterates Ruqaya. She believes case management is life changing support rather than merely a service provided. Ruqaya and her colleagues have supported countless numbers of Syrian children who have lost track of their parents due to the conflict. They are the hidden everyday heroes. “Children have the right to live in a safe environment, to grow up with their families and among their siblings,” Ruqaya, a supervisor of case managers with a UNICEF -supported partner In 2021, UNICEF reached over 450 protection workers and community volunteers in Hasakeh, northeast Syria, with training on various child protection subjects, including on child protection foundations, case management, psychosocial support, explosive ordnance risk education, gender-based violence, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. UNICEF -trained case managers supported 5,000 children and adult survivors of gender-based violence and provided support through case management. Also, over 38,000 children were provided with recreational activities as well as individual and group counselling and nearly 5,000 caregivers with guidance on parental care. More than 350,000 children and caregivers benefitted from awareness raising on the prevention from family separation and risks of unexploded ordnance as well as protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. The activities were funded by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KFW Development Bank.

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Story

28 June 2022

The idea challenge

“It all starts with an idea. We had this dream for years, we finally made it a reality” Maysa’a one of the founders of the Social Solidarity Kitchen in Swaida. In 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Idea Challenge project, the first social enterprise programme in Syria with the aim of supporting the development of new and/or existing social enterprises that contribute to women’s economic empowerment. What is a social enterprise? A social enterprise or social business is defined as a business with specific social objectives. By selling goods and services, social enterprises create employment and reinvest their profits back into their business or the local community. In this way, social enterprises contribute to tackling social problems, improving people’s life chances, all while providing training and employment opportunities. Why social enterprise? Over a decade of war and crisis in Syria have pushed millions of people into unemployment and poverty. More than 90 percent of the Syrian population is estimated to be living below the poverty line, and close to two-thirds live in extreme poverty with women being disproportionately affected. At the same time, women’s participation in the labour force remains relatively weak at 22 percent, compared with 78 percent for men. With less access to land and asset ownership women face significant barriers in accessing financing opportunities. Among micro, small and medium sized enterprises, women own 35 percent of businesses, of which 73 percent operate in the informal sector. That is why it is important to invest in social enterprises that are led by women, staffed by women, and created for women who can be catalysts for change. How we did it? The announcement and call for applications for the Idea Challenge Project was made on UNDP Syria Facebook page reaching over 200 thousand people. 359 teams applied for the competition, from all over Syria. Using rigorous criteria to choose the ideas most likely to succeed, 50 teams were selected to participate in a four-day bootcamp in business model generation and business plan development. “It was very inspiring to see all the diverse and innovative ideas we have received from women from all walks of life” said Tammam Yahia, private sector and MSMEs support and development programme specialist. “We received many innovative ideas that challenge traditional gender norms, offering solutions to address some of the barriers facing women’s economic empowerment and marginalized communities” he added. At the end of the boot camp, 26 winning teams received financial support and mentorship from the Syrian Business Council (SBC). How they did it?...Meet some of the champions by read the full story

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26 June 2022

Wheat production contributes to a better living for Nadia’s family

For which they have to thank many thousands of small-scale farmers for their efforts some of whom have been being supported by FAO. Today, in June 2022, the Muhardeh countryside in Hama governorate is a beautiful sight, the wheat fields a golden carpet. Though they were affected by a late cold spell, the farmers in the area were preparing for a good harvest season after they received quality wheat seed provided by FAO and were able to access water for irrigation. The Organization, with the support of Germany through anticipatory action in FAO (SFERA), has contributed to the food and nutrition security of small-scale wheat producers by providing more than 513 tonnes of wheat seed to 2 565 vulnerable farmers in the governorates of Hama, Deir Ez-Zor, and Ar-Raqqa. Each farmer received 200 KG wheat seed, enough to plant one hectare of land. This year it has been a very different story in other parts of Syria, where farmers in rain-fed areas have again lost most of their crops, for the second year running, and upwards of 80,000 households are facing real hardship and uncertainty for the coming years. Hama governorate is one of those which contributes to the country’s wheat production. It also witnessed harsh events during the conflict over the past decade which forced thousands of farmers to flee their lands for safety. Returning back to their lands was not easy for farmers – they couldn’t access quality inputs, including seed and fertilizers, due to shortages in the local market. Also for many, their homes were destroyed; and they had to travel long distances by motorbike just to access their fields. Nadia Darwish, 34-year-old mother of three children, is one of the farmers who was forced to leave her land seeking a safe place away from armed conflict. After losing her husband during the war, she became the only breadwinner for her children and had to work on the farms of others for a daily wage. When she returned home in 2021, she realized that her homecoming was not going to be easy: “When I came back to my land, I had nothing to restart my production activities, I didn’t have money to buy enough seeds, nor did I have any means of irrigation or any fertilizers,” said Nadia. The special needs of displaced families like Nadia’s were prioritized. Moreover, the Organization has also supported farmers with guidance on good agriculture practices, efficient irrigation and water resources management, climate-smart agriculture and other topics that contributed to the improvement of the farmers’ crop production in terms of quality and quantity. Through WhatsApp, FAO’s trainers made sure to follow up with the farmers’ production practices, besides raising their awareness about the importance of quality seeds, seed rate, plant-to-plant and row-to-row distance, method of sowing, water management at critical stages, harvest residue management, timely identification of pests, and preventive use of crop protection products. “FAO provided me with the seed at the right time, they held our hands all the way from the beginning till harvest day.” Said Nadia. The crops produced will be enough for her family’s own consumption, for this year and will provide seed for next year’s use. Nadia is very happy as she can now again meet the basic needs of her three children.

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24 May 2022

WHO issues situation report calling for urgent action to address malnutrition in northeast Syria

Seven hundred thousand more children face hunger in Syria due to the country’s continuously deteriorating economy, especially in northeast Syria. In the last 6 months, the total number of food-insecure children across the country has risen to more than 4.6 million. After more than 10 years of conflict and displacement, an unprecedented number of children in Syria are now battling soaring rates of malnutrition. The World Health Organization and the Nutrition Sector continue to expand detection, as well as preventive and specialized inpatient nutrition services for children with acute malnutrition and ensure the availability of critical supplies. Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition covers two broad groups of conditions. One is ‘undernutrition’, which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age) and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals). Malnutrition affects people in every country. Worldwide, some 159 million children are stunted and 50 million are wasted. Many families cannot afford or do not have access to nutritious foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat, and milk. Over the past 11 years, northeast Syria has suffered enormously due to the ongoing crisis. The deterioration of health services, the economic crisis, and the decrease in purchasing power, coupled with the difficulty of accessing safe drinking-water have all led to an increase in malnutrition rates. As evidence shows, in 2022–2023 about 5.5 million people, including mothers and children aged 0–59 months in Syria will need direct nutrition assistance; half of them live in northeast Syria. Subsequent surveys have shown that the incidence of acute and chronic malnutrition is twice as much in northeast Syria as compared to the rest of the country. WHO continues to confront the deteriorating nutritional situation in northeast Syria by providing a package of different nutritional service programmes. The main aim is to detect cases of malnutrition and ensure they get the appropriate management needed. WHO supports the management of malnutrition associated with complications in stabilization centres, in addition to fulfilling the need to prevent malnutrition through multiple programmes, such as infant and young child feeding counselling, as well as the Baby-Friendly Hospitals Initiative. Addressing malnutrition is one of the key priorities for WHO in northeast Syria. The latest survey that was conducted in 2019 indicates that the rates of acute and chronic malnutrition cases in northeast Syria exceeded those recorded in other regions across the country. WHO expanded nutrition services in northeast Syria in 2021 to reach a large number of health facilities operating in the 3 governorates. Despite the challenges and the shortage of health care providers, WHO has covered large parts of northeast Syria, including hard-to-reach areas. However, more needs to be done to prevent or treat acute and chronic malnutrition in Syria. Related Materials Malnutrition in northeast Syria: the case for urgent action Related Video

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Story

19 October 2021

Syrian farmers face challenges preparing for the new season following poor harvest in 2020/21

Although the agriculture sector has fared better than other sectors in Syria in the past ten years, farmers have suffered from the impact of conflict and macroeconomic difficulties. Compounding this, in 2021 farmers faced unfavourable weather conditions in the main cereal producing areas of the country. FAO carried out an independent mission to assess the 2021 cereal harvest and overall situation of the agricultural sector in Syria. Methodologically established crop cutting and statistical sampling methods that had been employed in assessments in previous years could not be utilized this year due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Therefore, production estimates for cereals were determined through key informant interviews involved in a systematic programme in which consensus was developed. Key informants included larger farmers in key producing areas; members of farmers’ cooperatives; the General Union of Peasants; operators of harvesting equipment; and experienced staff from agricultural departments, as well as FAO field personnel. This method, though generally reliable, may have introduced some systematic biases. These methods should be studied further and refined for future use in the event of unforeseen circumstances that prevent the application of established crop assessment methods. Higher early government estimates also suffered from challenges in data collection in areas out of government control. Socio-economic background: Although much of the country is now secure and pockets of active fighting remain contained, the economic conditions in Syria are not considered favourable. Already weakened by ten years of conflict, the economy suffered further setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic and spill-over effects from the economic crisis in Lebanon, long a lifeline of the Syrian economy. High inflation rates, weakening currency and shortages of basic products, including fuel, prevail. The impact of sanctions has generally worsened matters for millions of Syrians, directly or indirectly. According to the World Food Programme, more than 12.4 million people (60 percent of the population) were food insecure in 2020, 5.4 million more than in 2019. This has worsened further in 2021. Crop production: Insufficient and poorly distributed rainfall in the 2020/21 agricultural season, together with several heatwaves, the high cost of inputs, limited availability of irrigation water and high cost of fuel for pumping, resulted in a contraction of the harvestable cereal area. The estimated harvested wheat area (787 000 ha) was slightly over half of that harvested in 2019. The estimated harvested barley area (352 000 ha) decreased by 75 percent from last year because large swathes of land were not deemed worth the harvesting effort. The 2021 wheat production is estimated at around 1.05 million tonnes, down from 2.8 million in 2020, and only a quarter of the pre-crisis average of 4.1 million tonnes (during the period 2002-2011). At 268 000 tonnes, rainfed barley production was only about 10 percent of exceptional harvests in 2019 and 2020. Main agricultural constraints for crop production: Farmers continue raising concerns about high production costs and transportation costs as well as lack of quality inputs. The agricultural machinery fleet is ageing, with no significant investment. Some progress has been made on the rehabilitation of irrigation structures, although illegal and uncontrolled drilling for groundwater over the past years is likely to have lowered the ground water table. A significant proportion of previously irrigated lands remain unwatered due to lack of equipment, maintenance or fuel. High rates of wastage were reported in fruit and vegetable production, constrained by low consumer purchasing power, the inability to export, and a shortage of processing factories. Livestock: Nationally, overall livestock numbers appeared to have stabilized after an initial sharp decline early in the conflict. However, current high feed prices and lack of access to pasture are likely to have resulted in extensive destocking. Prices of live animals already decreased compared to last year, as farmers have sold part of their herd to purchase feed and other inputs for the rest. Prices of dairy products and eggs increased to cover the high feed and fuel costs, but the rate of increase for dairy products and eggs is less than the increases in the cost of production. Although no significant outbreaks of animal diseases were reported (though lumpy skin disease of cattle was a problem earlier), nutritional status of animals is weak, making them generally susceptible to disease. Future trends: Farmers lack liquidity and access to credit, while prices of inputs are increasing. Prices of subsidised inputs, such as fuel and fertilisers increased. Seed is likely to be difficult to source due to the drastically reduced 2020 harvest, and seed quality is expected to be poor, with low germination rates. However, famers lacking feasible economic livelihood alternatives continue working their lands, even if in many cases using less intensive production methods and lower amounts of inputs. In response to the challenges faced by farmers in the 2020/21 season, immediate action is required to support the agriculture sector and prevent further erosion of productive assets. Although past crop assessment missions have advocated for a transition away from emergency and basic livelihood support and to recovery and reconstruction of the agricultural sector, this year emergency support is critical because the upcoming season carries the likelihood of below-normal precipitation in autumn 2021 and a lack widely available quality seed. The goal of emergency support is to ease shortages and improve access to inputs, ensuring sufficient supplies of diesel at official rates for farming operations, and to avert destocking of animals due to high feed costs. Detailed findings and additional recommendations will be presented in a forthcoming report assessing the 2020/21 crop production in the Syrian Arab Republic.

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Press Release

28 June 2022

Press Release on the World Urban Forum

Less than 10 days left! The Eleventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) is getting close! More than 10,000 people are expected in person from 26-30 June in Katowice, Poland and thousands more online, in the hybrid event, which is organized and hosted by UN-Habitat, in cooperation with the Government of Poland. Strong representation from across the Arab region includes Ministerial, official, expert and academic delegations participating in discussions around a better urban future, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the city level, tackling climate change challenges, and building back better. But what is the World Urban Forum? WUF is the premiere global conference on sustainable urbanization held every two years with the aim of raising awareness around sustainable urbanization, improving the collective knowledge of sustainable urbanization through inclusive open debates, sharing of lessons learned and the exchange of best practices and good policies, and increasing cooperation among stakeholders. This year WUF11, which comes under the theme “Transforming our cities for a better urban future”, consists of various types of events, including Networking Events, Voices from Cities, SDGs in Action, One UN, Urban Library and Training Events. Every WUF, the Arab region, which is rapidly urbanizing and majorly engaged in the discussions on sustainable urbanization, contributes immensely through leading sessions adding to the conversations on how to make cities more sustainable, inclusive and greener. This year is no different, with large participation from the region through the sessions listed below. UN-Habitat is inviting everyone to register HERE to attend physically or online and be part of the conversation on Transforming Our Cities for a Better Urban Future. The deadline for online registration is 25 June. You will also be able to follow the live broadcast of some of the sessions on the UN Web TV HERE. Click HERE to register For more information, please contact: Taimaa Mourad, Communication Assistant, UN-Habitat Syria Programme, taimaa.mourad@un.org, +963 965 044 536 Visit: https://wuf.unhabitat.org/

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Press Release

14 July 2022

RC/HC statement on the closure of Damascus Airport [EN/AR]

I am deeply concerned about the recent airstrikes on the Damascus Airport that have led to the closure of the airport due to damages sustained in the airstrike. On 10 June, several airstrikes were reported early in the morning in rural Damascus, with Damascus Airport being one of the impact sites. The damages were incurred to the runway as well as to the terminal building forcing the airport to shut down until further notice. The closure has severe humanitarian implications and could result in additional negative consequences for vulnerable Syrians. The closure has already resulted in suspension of all flights for the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) – the key enabler of access for humanitarian operations in Syria and in many other crisis countries. In the period between 1 January and 9 June 2022, UNHAS provided transportation to a total of 2,143 humanitarian community members between Damascus, Qamishli and Aleppo. Since the beginning of the year, UNHAS has enabled HCT partners ability to serve a total of 2,097,840 people in need in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Deir ez-Zor and Ar-Raqqa governorates. UNHAS also transports humanitarian cargo, including life-saving health supplies like tetanus vaccines, testing equipment for blood transfusion and diabetes medication across Syria. The impact of this closure could further impede humanitarian access and if not resolved quickly, may have drastic humanitarian repercussions for more than two million people in need. Targeting civilian objects and infrastructure runs contrary to international humanitarian law. I call on all parties to ensure protection of civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure. Humanitarian air services must resume without delay so that emergency assistance can continue to reach those in need. For further information:
Olga Cherevko, Spokesperson, OCHA Syria, Damascus, cherevko@un.org

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Press Release

04 April 2022

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action - Press Release

This year, on April 4th, the United Nations in Syria would like to stress the need for enhancing protection of people who are facing the dangers of explosive ordnance contamination every day, in both rural and urban areas throughout the country. Landmines and explosive ordnance are indiscriminate deadly enemies that kill or maim regardless of profession, age and sex whether soldier or civilian, girls, boys, women or men. According to the 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview, 10.2 million people, roughly 1 in 2 Syrians are estimated to be living in areas contaminated with explosive ordnance in 2022. Half of them (around 4.6 million) are children. 1 in 3 communities is reportedly contaminated with some form of explosive ordnance. The UN Mine Action Service estimates that since 2013, an average of four people per day have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance, placing Syria amongst the top countries reporting direct victims of explosive ordnance incidents worldwide. Only in the past weeks, we have been sadly reminded of the deadly impact of contamination, with at least four accidents being reported in March resulting in six child casualties. Not only does contamination result in death and injury of civilians, especially IDPs, but as explosive ordnance contamination is most frequently reported in agricultural land and on roads, it is also the top access constraint for the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to those most in need, and exacerbates food insecurity and hampers early recovery. As stated by the United Nations Secretary General in his remarks for this 2022 International Mine Action Day: “Mine action is an investment in humanity. It is a prerequisite for humanitarian relief efforts and the foundation of lasting peace and sustainable development.” Without a comprehensive and inclusive humanitarian mine action response in Syria, explosive ordnance will continue to injure and kill civilians, to hinder safe access and to threaten the safety of humanitarian workers. It will continue to prevent the use of schools, hospitals, and land necessary to sustain the livelihoods of the Syrian people who, after 11 years, are in a deepening crisis compounded by socio- and economic emergencies. Today, in Syria, an awareness campaign is being launched on social media and through SMS to inform people about these risks. Help us spread the word and join the campaign #IMAD2022 #MineAwarenessDay #SafeGround.

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Press Release

24 October 2021

Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector

UN-HABITAT, UNDP and FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment will launch the Adaptation Fund project titled “Increasing the Climate Change Resilience of Communities in Eastern Ghouta in Rural Damascus to Water Scarcity Challenges through Integrated Natural Resource Management and Immediate Adaptation Interventions”. The Project will be launched through the inception workshop in the Eastern Ghouta in presence of the Minister of Local Administration and Environment, representatives of concerned ministries, representatives of concerned municipalities and Heads of UN Agencies. The launch of the project addresses climate change as a dire challenge in the Syrian Arab Republic that is manifested in various climatic phenomena varied across different regions, but generally alarming are the increasing temperatures and droughts, already in the short term, and projected reduction of precipitation, mainly on the long term. Therefore, the Adaptation Fund project will enhance the adaptive capacities of the population in Syria to climate change. The 3.5-years project targets Eastern Ghouta as one of the most populated agricultural areas in Syria and vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity. Targeting the municipalities of Al Mleiha, Zebdine, Deir El Assafir and Marj El sultan in Rural Damascus, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of national and sub-national government institutions and communities to assess, plan and manage climate change-induced and post-crises water and land challenges in an efficient, sustainable and climate resilient way. A water supply system that is resilient to climate change will also be established with an improved wastewater treatment since untreated wastewater is currently polluting water resources, irrigation channels, and soil. In addition, this system will be supported using highly efficient irrigation technologies, while promoting drought-tolerant crops and trees, introducing climate smart agriculture practices and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Adaptation Fund project will also foster an integrated natural resource management approach to present solutions for enhancing resilience to water scarcity (reduce water losses and contamination, improve water use efficiency meet the increased demand of water for irrigation, and protecting water and lands from pollution). The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are parties to the Kyoto Protocol and are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The United Nations is calling on people everywhere to work together to solve climate challenges and realize the commitments of the 2015 Paris Agreement. For more information, please contact Tamara Tamzok, UN-HABITAT Syria, Adaptation Fund Project Manager +963 940 077 765 tamara.tamzok@un.org Tayma Mourad, UN-HABITAT Syria, Communication Assistant +963 965 044 536 taimaa.mourad@un.org Salma Hakki, FAO Syria, Communication Officer, +963 958-002-536 salma.hakki@fao.org Giacomo Negrotto, UNDP Syria, Partnership Development Officer, +963 99 33 38 908 giacomo.negrotto@undp.org

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