Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria - August 2023
UNDP SUPPORTS YOUTH WITH ACCESS TO QUALITY IN-DEMAND SKILLS IN ALEPPO
“I was determined to walk down that road despite the difficulties. I learned the profession and earned the respect of my trainers and colleagues,” said 25-year-old Aya who decided to take up welding as a profession. In four months at the Metal Centre in Aleppo, Aya mastered the skills needed to work as a blacksmith, a profession that has long been male-dominated.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria with support from the Government of Germany, is empowering youth and enhancing their access to the labour market through vocational and skills training. UNDP has provided training to more than 100 women and men. After the completion of the training, 100 per cent of the graduates received job opportunities in the local market.
UN-HABITAT CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY BY CREATING A FOOTBALL FIELD FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN IN SAQBA, RURAL DAMASCUS
UN-Habitat's safe access project transformed an open space into a football field for youth and children in Saqba, Rural Damascus. The project was part of UN-Habitat's efforts to promote transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action. By ensuring better-urbanized cities, improved livelihoods and work opportunities, UN-Habitat aims to provide young people with a decent life and a better future. Better cities stimulate creativity and innovation among young people, which is essential for theirs and their communities’ development.
UNHCR PROVIDES CORE RELIEF ITEMS TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY A FIRE IN DAMASCUS
A fire broke out in one of the oldest Souks in Damascus destroying several houses and shops. As a response, UNHCR Syria with its partners supported the affected by providing core relief items, including mattresses, blankets, jerry cans, solar lamps, plastic sheets and kitchen sets. The relief items will help the families to meet their basic needs and recover from the fire.
UNICEF PROMOTES BREASTFEEDING AND SUPPORTS BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year during the first week of August. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits globally.
In Syria, UNICEF works with partners to increase awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and to make sure that mothers have the support they need to breastfeed successfully. Breastfeeding provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and develop, and it also protects them from common infectious diseases.
UNMAS PILOT INITIATIVE TO TRAIN SIX SURVIVORS OF EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE INCIDENTS
UNMAS is launching a pilot initiative supported by the Government of Japan that will integrate survivors of explosive ordnance incidents into its teams on the ground. Six survivors have been trained to deliver risk education to affected communities in Syria. They will be deployed by UNMAS' implementing partner and the non-governmental organization “Khotwa.” The newly trained facilitators will deliver life-saving messages across communities in Rural Damascus. This initiative is a valuable opportunity for survivors to share their stories and help others.
ILO’S NEW PROJECT WILL PROVIDE DECENT AND EQUAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN ALEPPO
The ILO has launched a new project in Aleppo to rehabilitate three schools that were heavily impacted by the earthquakes that struck in February.
The initiative applies the ILO’s employment-intensive approach and targets the rehabilitation of schools, which are a cornerstone of community restoration. This approach embraces local labour and resources, reinforcing the local community's active involvement in the recovery process.
Approximately 150 short-term decent employment opportunities will be secured, generating 4,000 worker days, and providing adequate learning facilities for 3,572 students in the most affected communities.
OCHA COMMEMORATES WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE #NOMATTERWHAT CAMPAIGN
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the work of humanitarians and the dangers and adversity they face in their work. The hashtag #NoMatterWhat reflects the commitment of humanitarians to continue working to save lives and protect people, no matter what challenges they face.
The campaign is a call to action for everyone to support the work of humanitarians and to stand in solidarity with those affected by crises.
DURING BREASTFEEDING WEEK, WFP REITERATES THE RISING NUTRITION NEEDS IN SYRIA
Escalating needs in Syria have outpaced all available resources, making it impossible for WFP to maintain its current level of life-saving food assistance. WFP has recently cut the number of people it serves in the country from 5.5 million people to 3 million.
“I was frustrated because I wasn’t prepared,” said Salwa in Deir Ez Zor.
Salwa became pregnant while still nursing her first child last year, and became malnurished during the pregnancy. She was frustrated and worried about how she would feed herself and her children. However, Salwa was able to receive cash-based assistance supported by the European Commission. This allowed her to buy the foods she needed, and within two months, she became more active and gave birth to a healthy baby.
WHO SUPPORTS SYRIA'S PLAN FOR BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
In order for every Syrian to have accessible, equitable, effective and high-quality healthcare and nutrition services, the Ministry of Health has led the development of Syria’s strategy for primary healthcare 2023–2027 in close cooperation with WHO through a participatory process, soliciting input from concerned stakeholders.
The PHC strategy provides a roadmap for the recovery of the health system and offers a blueprint, emphasizing universal healthcare and Syria’s 2030 goals. Central to this is the family healthcare model, encompassing child health and immunization, to be operationalized through a comprehensive action plan.
Read Previous Monthly Digest
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - July 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/241000-monthly-digest-un-syria-july-2023
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - June 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/239471-monthly-digest-un-syria-june-2023
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - May 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/234333-monthly-digest-un-syria-may-2023
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - April 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/231094-monthly-digest-un-syria-april-2023
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - March 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/229290-monthly-digest-un-syria-activities-march…
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - Feb 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/221865-monthly-digest-un-syria-activities-feb-2…
Monthly Digest of the UN in Syria Activities - Jan 2023
https://syria.un.org/en/219143-monthly-digest-un-syria-activities-jan-2…