Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria - October 2023

UNDP EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES AND NURTURES UNITY THROUGH DIALOGUE IN SYRIAUNDP EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES AND NURTURES UNITY THROUGH DIALOGUE IN SYRIA

Embracing dialogue is an essential tool for rebuilding and understanding of a community. As part of UNDP’s Integrated Area-Based Approach, “Bridges of Dialogue” group brings together 32 women and men of different ages and backgrounds, representing 16 villages of the coastal area in Syria. The group places community engagement and priority needs at the centre of interventions, empowering people to be active citizens in their own recovery process.

In addition to the "Bridges of Dialogue" group, UNDP has also rehabilitated three schools in the area, rehabilitated a kilometre of sewage network, implemented a cash-for-work solid waste management project, supported 50 small businesses, introduced sustainable farming practices, and installed two transformers and solar systems for the main medical centre and six community centres.

https://www.undp.org/syria/stories/empowering-communities-and-building-…

UNFPA TRAINS MIDWIVES ON SAFE DELIVERY APPLICATION

In Deir-ez-Zor, UNFPA conducted a three-day training on the safe delivery application for 21 midwives working in UNFPA-supported facilities. The training aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge, and to highlight the importance of the application in basic emergency obstetric and newborn care.

The midwives were trained on the most important topics related to postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. They also received training on neonatal resuscitation.

UNFPA organized the training in cooperation with the Health Department and with the support of the Maternity Foundation.

https://www.facebook.com/UNFPASyria/posts/pfbid034cAAky9gsaUUrc6FqZ9u7p…

UN-HABITAT CELEBRATES URBAN OCTOBER WHEN EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION OF RAPID CHANGE IN CITIES AND TOWNS

The housing sector in Syria has been devastated by the 12-year-long crisis and the earthquake that struck the country in February. UN-Habitat believes that everyone deserves adequate housing.

Ahmad Bahbouh, an engineer who worked with UN-Habitat experts to assess earthquake damage in Ar-Rastan, Homs, said, “Working with UN-Habitat on damage assessments was helpful. They provided valuable expertise and techniques that enabled communities to assess the level of damage and identify their recovery priorities.”

Damage assessments of buildings provide a level of assurance so that people can safely return to their homes. UN-Habitat supports housing damage assessments to help Syria recover from the earthquake.

https://www.facebook.com/unhabitatsyria/posts/pfbid02M29QSYzaRRvPLjAGQG…

UNHCR DISTRIBUTES OVER 2,700 RELIEF ITEMS to DISPALCED FAMILIES IN DEIR-EZ-ZOR

Thousands of families have been displaced due to the ongoing clashes in Deir-ez-Zor. In response, UNHCR Syria has distributed over 2,700 core relief item kits, including blankets, plastic sheets, mattresses, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, jerry cans and solar lamps, to help families cope. These items will protect approximately 13,500 people from the cold and alleviate the challenges they face during displacement.

UNHCR is working with partners to provide essential assistance to displaced families in Syria.

https://twitter.com/UNHCRinSYRIA/status/1713615770876322101

UNICEF PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Mental health and psychosocial support for children affected by emergencies is essential. It is more urgent than ever to raise awareness and understanding of mental health.

This year, for the first time, the UNICEF team in Syria marked World Mental Health Day on 10 October by highlighting how the organization works with children, their caregivers, families, and communities to provide psychosocial and parenting support across the country. UNICEF provides community-led services tailored to local contexts and implemented with the active participation of affected children, their caregivers and families. Between January and August, UNICEF reached more than 128,000 children with mental health and psychosocial support, and 143,000 children with psychological first aid in the earthquake-affected areas.

https://x.com/UNICEFinSyria/status/1711747524438925653?s=20

FAO IMPROVES WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CAPACITIES IN SYRIA

FAO has partnered with the General Organization of Remote Sensing (GORS) to launch a comprehensive training programme aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills in water resources management for about 100 specialized national technicians. The programme will provide participants with the knowledge and skills they need to use essential water management tools and applications effectively. Technicians will contribute to improving water productivity, which will eventually improve the food security situation in the country.

This intervention is part of an integrated project, entitled “Supporting research studies and water resources monitoring systems in Syria” aimed to enhance sustainability of water resources through supporting water monitoring systems.

https://www.fao.org/neareast/news/view/en/c/1654874/

ILO'S ALEPPO COMMUNITY RESTORATION POST-EARTHQUAKE EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

ILO is advancing the second phase of the Aleppo community restoration project post-earthquake. The project aims to revitalize affected neighbourhoods by creating emergency employment opportunities and contracting with local businesses, focusing on debris removal to reopen roads, sewage system maintenance, and repairing damaged sidewalks and roads to enhance community safety and mobility. The project has already created 112 jobs and cleared 28 sites. The second phase aims to create an additional 200 jobs.

https://www.ilo.org/beirut/media-centre/news/WCMS_899702/lang--en/index…

THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR/ HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR SYRIA EXPLORES UN INTERVENTIONS IN DEIR-EZ-ZOR

"It was inspiring to see how resilient and hopeful the people of Deir-ez-Zor remain, despite the hardships they have endured in recent years."

On 17 October, RCHC Adam Abdelmoula visited Deir-ez-Zor, where he met people and listened to their stories. He also saw firsthand the impact of the UN's joint programme in the area, which is helping to revive the community and help people rebuild their lives.

https://twitter.com/OCHA_Syria/status/1706263327586807910

WFP MARKS WORLD FOOD DAY

Farmers in Quneitra, southern Syria, rely on irrigation water for their survival. During the crisis, they were forced to flee their homes and abandon their farms. But now, with the help of WFP, they are able to return to their land and rebuild their livelihoods.

WFP's water projects have rehabilitated irrigation systems, bringing water back to the land and enabling farmers to grow crops again.

On World Food Day, WFP celebrates the impact of these projects in helping farmers to rebuild their lives and communities.

https://twitter.com/WFP_Syria/status/1713902617125126625

ON WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY, WHO AND THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH HIGHLIGHT THE STEPS FOR A MORE RESILIENT SYRIA

The many years of crisis have affected the health and mental well-being of people in Syria. The negative impacts have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, disease outbreaks, the recent earthquake and the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

To commemorate World Mental Health Day, WHO and the Syrian Ministry of Health conducted a 2-day workshop for media professionals to emphasize this year’s theme “Mental Health is a universal human right” and aimed to improve knowledge, raise awareness and promote actions that support mental health for all.

In 2023, WHO's mental health initiatives reached more than 922,000 individuals and trained over 3,000 health professionals to provide specialized mental health support.

https://www.emro.who.int/syria/news/who-and-ministry-of-health-illumina…

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