Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

Most vulnerable people affected by the February 2023 Earthquake in Syria are able to meet their basic shelter, food/nutrition, water and sanitation facilities and health-care needs.

Expected results

R1. Shelter, Housing and Settlements: Restored and strengthened safety through emergency shelter and provision of household items;

R2. Livelihoods: Displaced and communities in crisis affected areas meet their food needs and build resilient livelihoods;

R3. Multi-purpose Cash: Basic needs are met through provision of cash assistance;

R4. Health & Care: Access to emergency, primary, mental and community health services provided;

R5. Water and Sanitation: Risk of waterborne diseases is reduced and dignity of affected population is ensured through WASH services;

R6. Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI): Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) PGI, mainstreaming and safeguarding capacities are strengthened;

R7. Community Engagement and Accountability: Community engagement, timely and transparent communication and feedback mechanisms are integrated;

R8. Migration: Reduced vulnerability of displaced and host community through SARC community centers/ humanitarian service points;

R9. Risk Reduction, Climate adaption and Recovery: Resilience and capacities of disaster and crises affected communities are strengthened through community-based actions;

R10. Environmental Sustainability: Reduced environmental impact through focus on greener supply chain practices.

Target group / Beneficiaries

With the Austrian contribution of EUR 1 Mio., the IFRC will be able to reach approx. 62,220 people with integrated assistance, health and care including WASH activities to meet their basic needs (indicative).

The IFRC works closely with the IFRC Syria Delegation and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and carries out its activities in earthquake affected areas such as Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Idleb, and Tartous. Other areas to which displaced people moved to might be included based on needs.

This contribution will be co-financed with additional funding from the Austrian Federal States in the amount of EUR 1 Mio.

Activities

With the contribution, the following activities can be carried out (not exclusive and potentially subject to change, depending on needs on the ground):

? Procure and distribute kitchen sets to 5,000 households or 25,000 individuals and blankets to 5,000 individuals;

? Provision of standard food parcels to 34,440 individuals (or 6,887 households);

? Enhance SARC capacity improving their skills and train the volunteers involved in the response in livelihoods programming;

? Coordinate on national level with national Cash Working Group and other humanitarian actors regarding Cash and Voucher assistance (CVA) programming;

? Distribute multipurpose cash grants for the affected population to meet basic needs;

? Raise awareness and sensitize affected population on water-borne diseases and cholera prevention;

? Distribute essential WASH items including hygiene kits, dignity kits and culturally appropriate Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits;

? Provide access to lifesaving/emergency water, sanitation, solid waste management.

Context

On 6 February 2023, Syria was struck by two earthquakes, one at a magnitude of 7.7 originating in Gaziantep (Turkey) at 04:17 and another at a 7.6 magnitude in Kharamanmaras (Turkey) at 13:24. Multiple aftershocks were reported following the earthquakes. According to the Syrian Arab Republic Red Crescent, damages were caused in the north, central and coastal parts of Syria, specifically in Aleppo, Lattakia, Tartous, Hama, and Idlib governorates. The first estimates indicated that more than six million people were affected, including two million severely affected by the earthquake.

The earthquake hit amid a very harsh winter with some areas in the northern part of the country hitting sub-zero temperatures. At a time when people were already facing electricity, fuel, and water shortages, around 293,000 people have fled their collapsed and damaged houses seeking shelter at emergency centers and host communities. The number of displaced people remains unclear as some of the affected people have moved into the homes of extended families or to rented houses.

In the context of this acute disaster, the situation in Syrian today is critical, with a multitude of challenges that makes it one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies. A decade of protracted crisis and economic collapse has left more than 15.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.