Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria - November 2023

UNFPA BEGINS DISTRIBUTION OF SOLAR LAMPS IN NORTH-EAST SYRIA

In rural north-east Syria, where access to electricity is limited, solar lamps are providing a life-line for families. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in cooperation with Syria Al-Yamama Foundation, began distributing solar lamps to women and girls in the region. UNFPA plans to distribute a total of 6,000 solar lamps in shelters for internally displaced people (IDP) in Al Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa Governorates.

The distribution is part of a larger effort by UNFPA to support women and girls in north-east Syria. Many IDPs live in camps or informal settlements without access to basic services, including electricity.

UN-HABITAT EMPOWERS LOCAL COMMUNITY IN RURAL DAMASCUS TO ACHIEVE A BETTER SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

“It was beneficial to be part of the training to learn how to be familiar with solid waste management,” said Samar, a volunteer from the local community who participated in the waste management activity in the city of Arbin, Rural Damascus.

In a significant step towards fostering sustainable waste management practices, UN-Habitat Syria has conducted a training in Arbin. This training, guided by the global "Waste Wise Cities Tool," has equipped local community members with the knowledge and skills to convert waste into valuable resources, such as fertilizers and recycled materials.

UNHCR EMPOWERS FEMALE HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH STARTUP BUSINESS GRANTS

Taghreed's life took an unexpected turn in 2014 when the Syrian crisis forced her family to flee from Aleppo. Seeking refuge, they settled in the Basira area of Tartous Governorate. However, displacement brought with it its own set of challenges.

Determined to provide for her family and create a better life, Taghreed sought support from the UNHCR-supported community centre in Basira. She received a startup business grant to establish her own coffee shop.

She is now able to cover her family’s needs by selling ground coffee and nuts. Thanks to this business, Taghreed’s daughter is back in school.

UNICEF REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, serves as a stark reminder of the obligation to fulfill the commitments of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year, not only in Syria, but in many places around the world, conflicts, climate change and economic crises are endangering the futures of children. These emergencies are putting children's rights to health, nutrition and safe water at increasing risk.

UNICEF Syria has shared the inspiring story of young Jameel, one of the many children affected by the devastating earthquakes earlier this year. While he still struggles to put the traumatic experience behind him, he is persevering.

UNICEF continues to leave no stone unturned to support children, like Jameel, help them recover and equip them with the skills they need to build a better future.

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE RISK EDUCATION IS THE FIRST STEP TO PREVENT CASUALTIES FROM EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE

In a crucial step towards protecting children from the dangers of explosive ordnance, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Syria has distributed 1,000 school bags to students in Rural Damascus. This initiative forms an integral part of an ongoing awareness-raising campaign designed to educate children about the risks associated with explosive remnants of war and instill in them the importance of reporting any suspicious objects they may encounter.

ILO’S POST-EARTHQUAKE EARLY RECOVERY SCHOOL REHABILITATION PROJECT

Amidst the shattered remains of Aleppo, where earthquakes have left their mark on homes and schools, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) project to rehabilitate and revive three schools in the city.

The ILO's post-earthquake school rehabilitation project in Aleppo emerges as weaving together the personal narratives of Mohammad, Ibrahim, Um Abdulla and Abu Ahmad. Featuring a convergence of childhood bonds, educational aspirations and resilience, this project symbolizes the community's determination to recover amidst adversity caused by the earthquake.

THE ONLY FEMALE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TECHNICIAN FOR CATTLE IN SYRIA EMPOWERS RURAL WOMEN

FAO implements its national animal health services and artificial insemination campaign, under the Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) project, funded by UK Aid, to maintain a breed of healthy animals and improve livelihoods of small-scale breeders.

FAO is collaborating with 66 experienced veterinarians to reach more than 24,000 livestock-owning affected households in Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor, Hama, Homs and Rural Damascus with animal health and artificial insemination services, to help improve livestock production in terms of breed quality, increased milk production, and therefore, improved income, livelihoods and resilience.

FAO through the implementation of the BLRS project, has placed great focus on helping women overcome gender-based economic violence to make a significant impact in achieving equality in rural communities.

IN RUN-UP TO COP28, THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR SYRIA A.I. HIGHLIGHTS UN CLIMATE ACTION EFFORTS

As the world prepares for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) scheduled from 30 November to 12 December, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is shining a light on the humanitarian community’s efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change in Syria.

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Syria, Kenn Crossley, has emphasized the need for collective action to mitigate, reverse and prevent the destructive impact of climate change in Syria.

WFP MARKS WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING NEGATIVE COPING MECHANISMS

On this World Children's Day, we pause to remember the millions of Syrian children who are being denied their fundamental right to education. The ongoing crisis and the resulting economic hardship have left 2.5 million Syrian children out of school, facing a future filled with uncertainty.

Amidst this crisis, the implementation of school meals programmes has emerged as a beacon of hope. These programmes provide essential nutrition to children, enabling them to stay in school, focus on their studies, and break the cycle of poverty and hunger.

WHO ASSESSES SYRIA'S EARLY WARNING ALERT AND RESPONSE SYSTEM (EWARS)

WHO and the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) recently completed a joint evaluation of the country’s main disease surveillance system - the Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS). Throughout the ongoing crisis in Syria, EWARS has played a pivotal role in detecting outbreaks of measles, cholera and other infectious diseases, effectively preventing their further spread.

A team of experts from the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, WHO Country Office in Syria, and MoH conducted a comprehensive assessment of 46 health facilities and laboratories across 13 Syrian governorates. Their preliminary findings indicate that EWARS is functioning effectively, demonstrating high levels of timeliness, completeness and acceptability, particularly at field level.

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