Syria Crisis Response Overview September & October 2013

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS SYRIA ................................................................................................................................ 4 LEBANON ........................................................................................................................... 8 JORDAN........................................................................................................................... 11 IRAQ................................................................................................................................ 14 TURKEY ........................................................................................................................... 16 LIBYA .............................................................................................................................. 21 DRC / MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA ............................................................................... 23

(“Waiting”, Front-page picture by Leila Alaoui from the forthcoming photo exhibition at STATION exhibit space in Beirut, November 29 and December 1, 2013)

DRC MENA Syrian crisis “Recognising the growing international commitment to providing a Development-led approach to the challenges caused by high refugee numbers in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq, DRC is increasingly engaging with UN, state and non-state actors internationally and locally to ensure that such a comprehensive strategy is grounded on both the rights of the displaced and on locally owned capacities and systems. DRC will continue to work to reduce the gap between refugees and the communities and countries that are hosting them.” Hugh Fenton, Regional Director, DRC MENA

Sept.-Oct. total number of beneficiaries, approx.:

370.000 individuals

Accumulated number of beneficiaries for the year, approx.:

1,1 Million individuals

DRC has been responding to needs arising from the Syrian crisis since 2011. This Emergency Response overview summarizes DRC’s achievements since January 2013.

3

DRC’s and DDG’s long-term regional presence, coordinated from the Regional Office in Amman, enables the populations affected by the Syrian crisis to receive assistance irrespective of where needs may arise. We are able to share expatriate and national staff across the region, to quickly replicate best practices across the affected countries, as well as participate in coordination and advocacy activities on all levels. In response to the Syrian crisis, DRC has adopted a flexible, holistic and beneficiary-centric approach to protection, emergency response and future durable solutions for conflict and displacement affected populations. DRC’s overarching theme for the regional intervention is protection - and working to assist underserved caseloads as close to their point of origin as possible.

Map of geographical areas of operation

4

SYRIA “While the international community is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, we continuously have to remind ourselves that the largest contribution to assist the UN-cited 9.3 million people with humanitarian needs comes from the Syrian people itself. The majority of the 6.5 million people internally displaced are getting help from family and friends. Equally important is the assistance provided by the international community in reaching the people in need, because a large number of Syrians are working for national and international organizations to deliver the aid, often at great personal risk. This (specify) also applies to the achievements reported in this month’s crisis overview.” Kim Petersen, Country Director DRC Syrian

Total number of beneficiaries during August 2013, approx.:

42,378 individuals

Accumulated number of beneficiaries since January till end. Of Oct 2013:

541,904 individuals

Map of geographical areas of operation

Al Hasakah Halab Al Ladhiqiyah

Ar Raqqah

Idlib

Sectors of intervention

Hamah

Dayr Az Z awr

Tartus Hims

Dimashq Al Quna ytirah

• • • • •

Distribution of non-food items (NFIs) School Rehabilitation Shelter Rehabilitation Quality Education Vocational training and Livelihood

As Suwa yda Dar ‘A

Distribution of non-food items (NFIs): During the month of September 2013, DRC resumed its emergency activities in partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), as a response to the immediate needs due to intensified clashes and/ or displacement. DRC has distributed 45,900 NFIs; including mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, and underwear sets throughout Rural Damascus and Dara’a Governorates. • •

Total number of individual beneficiaries: 33,000 Total number of households: 6,600

School Rehabilitation: In order to achieve its goal of supporting the educational process in the schools accommodating affecteddisplaced students, DRC Syria, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), is implementing an emergency school rehabilitation program. The program includes: rehabilitation works, provision of school

5 equipment, and installation of "Blast Resistant Film" for windows to reduce the impact of potential excessive glass explosion. In September 2013, this activity has been conducted in 11 schools across the governorates of Damascus and Rural Damascus. In addition, DRC provided 7 schools in Damascus with equipment, including heaters, white boards and pens, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, sport kits, and wastebaskets. The number of pieces of equipment distributed was 5000. •

Total number of individuals: 6, 192 students (2077of them are IDPs).

Shelter Rehabilitation: During September 2013, DRC started the rehabilitation of 10 shelters in Aleppo governorate, in addition to 5 shelters in Homs and 4 shelters in Dara’a Governorate, under a bilateral agreement with the Syrian Ministry of Local Affairs (MoLA). •

The total number of the hosted IDPs in these shelters is 3944 individuals (782 households).

Moreover, the rehabilitation team started the identification and assessment of 35 unfinished buildings in Dara’a and 28 unfinished buildings in Aleppo for WASH rehabilitation and winterization. These assessments are targeting unfinished buildings following a recent decision by the Syrian Government to convert schools currently serving as collective centers back to their original purposes. The rehabilitation and winterization of these unfinished buildings is needed in order to make room for all the IDPs currently living in these collective centers. The process of evacuating all public shelters (schools) and moving all IDPs to unfinished buildings is ongoing, and has been primarily applied in Aleppo.

6

Quality Education: As the new school year recently started in Syria on 15th of September, many children face extraordinary challenges continuing their education. DRC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and supported by UNICEF, started a support campaign to increase the enrollment of internally displaced children into formal education. During the reporting period, almost 1,000 children benefited from the distribution process of books in the schools and DRC community centers to cope with the shortage in provisions. In addition, DRC provided 324,000 school bags with stationery supplies such as pens and notebooks, 30,600 music kits, 54 sport kits, and 54 art kits to 18 schools in the governorates of Damascus, Rural Damascus, Homs and Dara’a, with a total number of 9,000 students.

Stationary Distribution in Fayez Mahmmoud school- Damascus

Vocational training and Livelihood: Since June 2013, DRC has conducted an assessment/screening process in Homs governorate with the aim of clarifying vocational and livelihood needs and opportunities. Beginning in September 2013, DRC launched the first vocational training activities in Homs governorate in close cooperation with the SARC-Homs branch. These activities were implemented in two vocational private centers in the Karm al-Shami area of Homs in different disciplines; cosmetic, aerobic coach (what does this mean), web design, physical therapy, computer maintenance, human resources, childcare, accountancy, and commercial correspondence. 190 IDPs have benefitted from this activity.

Community services and protection: DRC, in cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), is running 6 community centers (4 in Damascus and rural Damascus, one in Homs, and one in Dara’a). This project represents a comprehensive response to preserving a protection space for refugees and IDPs as well as addressing their new socioeconomic vulnerabilities, as well as assisting the affected populations with tailored social and protection services. DRC CCs are responding more directly to the current crisis in Syria and targeting an increased percentage of the affected Syrian population (including IDPs). This is also taking place the in centers through communitybased initiatives. This program aims to encourage affected populations to implement ad hoc natural-support solutions to meet their own needs in a participatory manner.

7 • •

During September, DRC offered support for two community based initiatives (CBIs) implemented in Jaramana. During the month of September, DRC CCs supported a total of 4216 beneficiaries.

Students proudly showing the stationary they received from DRC. The students are in a school in Jarmana, where almost 40% of students are displaced from other governorates.

Beneficiary Case: Ali, 12, from Hama, is now a student in Al-Moutanabi school in Damascus, after being displaced from his hometown. “When I was in Hama, I could not go to school; we were not allowed to walk outside freely because of the snipers, so I had to stay at home. Security was getting worse day by day and violence was part of our daily life, my family suffered from a shortage of food, electricity and gas. It was not easy to survive there. Like me, many other students displaced from other governorates come to our new school in Damascus, and we study together,” Ali says that he appreciates the support displaced children like him are receiving, because this support means that it is possible to continue receiving an education and look to the future.

8

LEBANON “DRC has launched its winter assistance programme in Lebanon. Unlike in previous years, winterization is being provided via cash transfer. Eligible refugee families are distributed ATM cards which are then uploaded with a cash amount contributing to the purchase of heating stove and fuel (150 USD). Winter assistance is one-off for the newly arrived families and monthly for the registered refugee population. DRC has taken the lead on winter assistance through cash, ordered 120,000 ATM cards for distribution in November. A monitoring system is being set up and will allow us to know how refugees do spend their winter money. ” Olivier Beucher, Country Director, DRC Lebanon

October total number of beneficiaries:

62,627 households

313,135 individuals

Accumulated number of ben. for the year:

93,001 households

465,005 individuals

Map of geographical areas of operation (All governorates – South, Nabatiye, North, Bekaa and Mount Lebanon) DRC Lebanon has its main office Beirut, and 5 field offices in North Lebanon (Tripoli and Qubayat), Bekaa (Zahle and No r t h Lebano n

Beqa a

Moun t Lebano n Be ir u t

Sou t h Lebano n

An Na b a ti y a h

Baalbak) and South (Tyre) Governorates. DRC Lebanon is strengthening the emergency response to the Syrian crisis in all 5 geographical areas (North Bekaa, Central-West Bekaa, Akaar, Tripoli and South Lebanon) to adjust to the evolving needs of the displacement affected populations. Offices in Baalbek and Tyre have recently been established to respond to the growing needs of the refugee and host communities of North Bekaa and South Lebanon. This has expanded DRC’s capacity and coverage in those areas, while the response in the other three areas is being consolidated.

DRC’s extensive countrywide presence has allowed for the development of robust contingency plans, designed through field offices and in coordination with different UN agencies and stakeholders. Resources are available for relocation to respond to crises as and when they occur within Lebanon. DRC is also positioning most of its regional contingency buffer stocks in Lebanon.

Sectors of intervention: DRC’s emergency strategy focuses on three main geographical areas and four core sectors of intervention: • • • •

Distribution of Food and Non-food Items (NFIs) Shelter Protection Livelihoods / Community Development

9

Distribution of Food and Non Food Items (NFIs): In September 2013, DRC has assisted more than 313,135 registered and newcomer refugees with Food and Non Food Items (NFIs) in the North, Bekaa and South Governorates. In October 2013, DRC distributed items to 304,210 registered and newcomer individuals.

# of households assisted in September # of households assisted in October

Bekaa

Akkar

Tripoli

South

Total

14,952 HHs

18,720 HHs

28,155 HHs

800 HHs

62,627 HHs (313,135 individuals)

11,448 HHs

19,384 HHs

29,222 HHs

788 HHs

60,842 HHs (304,210 individuals)

(HHs = Registered Households)

Protection: DRC counseling desks at distribution sites and community and counseling centers continue to be a space for identification of Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN), for basic counseling, referrals and information dissemination. DRC is responding to the needs of particularly vulnerable groups such as survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) (should this be SGVB) and children at risk (of what), and has been offering psychosocial counseling and emotional support, providing material and financial assistance, coordinating with shelter services, and ensuring relevant referrals to other services. Since January 2013, more than 6,560 new cases were identified by the Protection team, among which 1,177 are children at risk/unaccompanied children, and 1,128 are women at risk.

Shelter: DRC is providing shelter solutions through a variety of initiatives. Collective shelters are being rehabilitated to support 663 households throughout Lebanon; 160 family box shelters have been manufactured to provide shelter for another 800 beneficiaries. Moreover, cash-for-rent assistance was provided to 588 particularly vulnerable households in the North and Bekaa Governorates in September and October 2013. As winter approaches (and in response to the increasing shelter needs), the shelter team is continuously assessing new potential collective shelters across the country.

Livelihoods and Community Development: Eight community centers are now operating in North, Bekaa and South Lebanon. In September and October 2013, vocational trainings and life skills activities such as sewing, hairdressing, handicrafts, language classes and first aid were provided to more than 800 beneficiaries. Moreover, 1,205 individuals benefited from community-based mobile activities in collective centers, and 362 attended awareness sessions.

Community Support Projects : Since May 2012, the DRC has completed 40 Community Support Projects (CSPs) in the North, Bekaa and South Governorates, and 29 are still on-going. These projects support displaced Syrians and vulnerable members of the Lebanese host community through a participatory process developed to enhance community relations while providing vital support.

10

Ali is a 20-year-old Syrian refugee who recently fled to Lebanon. He is attending English classes at the Danish Refugee Council’s Community Center in Jeb Jennine (Central-West Bekaa), where he is learning how to read and write in English. Ali has made significant progress in a very short time. “The curriculum in Lebanon is different than in Syria. Here everything is taught in English, Arabic and French. I want to continue my studies in Lebanon and DRC’s English class is an opportunity for me to achieve this goal”. Every week, approximately 1,000 beneficiaries are supported through DRC’s 8 Community Centers across Lebanon.

11

JORDAN “Over the past year, DRC Jordan has been providing NFI and cash assistance as well as basic protection information to over 80,000 beneficiaries. These emergency needs have been a crucial arena in the response to date. However, as situations of displacement become protracted, the response must evolve to meet the changing needs of displacement-affected populations living in Jordan. In order to ensure the most vulnerable households have access to appropriate and effective services, DRC is building a comprehensive referral mechanism in Amman, Karak, and Ma’an Governorates. The referral system links beneficiaries with existing services based on specific needs; in this way, beneficiaries receive support for needs across sectors, including medical, legal, NFIs and education. This type of intervention aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the humanitarian response by quickly connecting beneficiaries and service providers, thereby reducing the risk of beneficiaries turning to negative coping mechanisms like early marriage, child labor, or increased debt.” – Maurizio Crivellaro, Country Director, DRC Jordan.

Sept.-Oct. total number of beneficiaries: (Jordanian and Syrian families)

households 2,068

Accumulated number of ben. for the year: households 19,157 (Jordanian and Syrian families including NFI- distribution)

individuals 9,099 individuals 98,698

Map of geographical areas of operation Amman, Karak and Ma’an

Irbid Ajlun

Al Mafraq

Ja ras h Jarash

Al Balqa‘ Amman Madaba

Az Zarqa

”Amman

Al Karak

With more than 550,000 registered refugees and an unknown number remaining unregistered, Jordan is host to the second largest population of Syrian refugees in the region. The approximately 100,000 refugees in the Za’atari camp remain the center of humanitarian attention, but the majority of the refugees in Jordan are spread across urban areas in the capital of Amman and the rest of the country. In southern Jordan, the influx of refugees is stretching the infrastructure and capacities of the underdeveloped Governorates of Karak and Ma’an.

At Tafilah maAn

DRC, in partnership with Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), has been active in Amman, Karak, AL‘Aqabah Ma’an and Mafraq Governorates in 2013. Current programming focuses on providing emergency cash assistance and referral information to the most vulnerable populations to ensure beneficiaries have access to up-to-date protection information. Projects in southern Jordan place heavy emphasis on promoting improved coordination between civil society actors, whose services were already insufficient to meet the needs of the Jordanian population pre-Syrian influx. The overall response in the south has therefore been fragmented and limited by lack of capacity, resources, and involvement in coordination forums, which focus primarily in northern and central Jordan. Importantly, the southern governorates house a large ratio of unregistered Syrians and those awaiting registration, a population without access to regular UNHCR support, including financial assistance, medical service provision, and education.

12

Sectors of intervention: In Cooperation with Jordan Hashemite charity organization (JHCO), DRC is working to assist and protect vulnerable Syrian refugees as well as poor Jordanian local host communities in Amman and South Jordan, in three sectors of intervention: • • •

Protection Cash assistance Distribution of Non Food Items (NFIs)

Protection: DRC Jordan is providing critical protection information services through activities in Amman, Karak, and Ma’an. In September and October 2013, over 1,800 Syrians in Amman received crucial information about available services and protection information, including important information about refugee rights. In order to most effectively address the wide range of beneficiaries’ needs, DRC Jordan is developing a comprehensive referral mechanism through ongoing coordination and networking with other service providers. Once a household has been assessed by case managers, the household’s specific vulnerabilities are addressed through DRC’s own services (cash assistance for urgent needs) or referred to another actor in the referral network for medical help, NFI provision, and food support, among others. DRC prioritizes support to femaleheads of household and single women; in the past two months, DRC staff in Amman has assisted 245 women with protection information and/or basic referrals to other actors working with victims of exploitation, SGBV, and harassment.

Cash assistance: The DRC Cash Assistance program targets Syrian refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanians in host communities. DRC has been one of the leading agencies providing cash assistance in the Jordanian context. DRC, in partnership with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), opened an East Amman center in March and has since provided thousands of vulnerable households with the means to absorb financial shocks and afford their basic needs like food, medicine, and shelter. Cash assistance has been particularly critical in Jordan, where displaced Syrians have extremely limited access to livelihoods and no way to bridge the gap between income and expenditure. To date, 32,208 households have been provided with cash assistance in Amman, Karak, and Ma´an.

Distribution of Non Food Items (NFIs): DRC Jordan´s NFI support aims to help the most vulnerable households cope with the harsh winter climate in particular. Last winter, DRC Jordan distributed winterization items including blankets, winter clothes, and heaters to over 35,000 individuals in Za´atari Camp and on the Syrian border. DRC was the only humanitarian actor present on the border. 74,661 NFIs have been provided to vulnerable households in Za´atari Camp, Amman, Ma´an and on the Syrian border.

13

Um Ahmad is a 39-year-old mother of two boys and three daughters. Two of her married daughters are still in Syria and her husband has been missing for more than a year. “I am sick with cancer and when the war broke out it became impossible to get to the hospital and receive treatment – bridges and infrastructure was destroyed. When the conflict intensified I wanted to get out with the youngest of my children. Bombs, roadblocks and conflict made it hard to get to the border. When we got to Jordan I was so exhausted that I was immediately hospitalized.” Um Ahmad and her children are surviving on cash assistance from JHCO and the DRC Support Center, as well as assistance from other NGOs. “My main concern now is not the difficulties for me and the children with me. I spent last night trying to reach family members in in Syria and only managed to get through to my sister for two minutes before the line went dead. The only thing I learned is that a nephew is wounded – I want my family out of Syria.”

14

IRAQ “The Kurdistan Regional Government has been heavily involved and proactive in the humanitarian response to Syrian refugees. It has illustrated exemplary capacity in hosting Syrian refugees, undertaking the majority of the humanitarian response in the post-August displacement influx. However, some restrictions currently apply at the border and it is for now unknown when full access will again be granted. In addition, the hosting capacities of the KRG have been substantially strained, both capacity wise and in resources, and international support is required. As such, DRC has significantly scaled-up its intervention by opening offices in Dohuk and recruiting more staff in Erbil to increase its emergency response capacity. In September-October, DRC launched five new projects in the sectors of Livelihood, Emergency Cash Assistance, WASH, Shelter, NFI/Winterization, Protection and Capacity Building of duty bearers. DRC’s overall strategy in the KRI is to deliver a programme that meets the urgent needs of the displacement affected population, and in parallel, strengthens the capacities of the duty bearers and civil society stakeholders, ensuring that an emergency response links into transition and sustainability. As such, DRC programmes include essential immediate relief for Syrian refugees in Qushtapa Camp, where DRC is positioning itself as the main actor, as well as contributing to finding durable solution for displaced populations through enhanced livelihood opportunities. In addition, DRC is favoring interventions that strengthen the development and socio-economic environment of host communities, creating a protective and sustainable context for Syrian refugees to integrate in. One of the main challenges is to mitigate potential community tensions over resource allocations and work to ensure that host communities continue to be able to receive refugees positively. However, DRC and other INGOs were asked to hold activities targeting non-camp refugees in Erbil while discussions are currently ongoing between the KRG and UNHCR as the KRG has expressed preference to support refugees in camps. This raises a number of key protection concerns for vulnerable Syrians residing in urban settings.” Michael Bates, Country Director - DRC Iraq.

Sept.-Oct. total number of beneficiaries:

969 families

4,680 individuals

Accumulated number of ben. for the year:

2,554 families

12,605 individuals.

Map of geographical areas of operation: Duhok, Arbil, Al-Sulaymaniyah The continuing unrest and instability in Syria is increasingly impacting the internal situation of Iraq.

DUhok

Nina w a

Arbil

As of October 2013, there are approximately 227,000 Syrian refugees in Iraq (197,132 registered with UNHCR), with more At-Ta'mim AS-Su la ymaniy ah than 95% in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Approximately Sala ad-DIN 60% of Syrian refugees in the KRI reside in non-camp areas while the remaining refugees are hosted in around 14 camps Diyala scattered amongst the three governorates. Of the urban Baghda d Al- Anba r population, 40% are estimated by the UNHCR to be Wasit considered as vulnerable. Non-camp refugees are residing in Babil Kar bala' the city center and in surrounding districts in Erbil and Dohuk, Al- Qadisiyah Maysan which creates difficulties in accessing them. CommunityAn-Najaf Dhi-Qar based protection, monitoring and outreach activities are most needed to respond to the needs of all refugees living in urban AL-Bas rah settings with minimal or no access to services and support. In Al- Muthannia addition, four camps were recently confirmed as permanent hosting camps for Syrian refugees in Erbil Governorate (Qushtapa, Darashakran, Kawergosk and Basirma). DRC is already present in Qushtapa Camp implementing all WASH activities through UNICEF, and is initiating shelter programming through UNHCR. This reinforces the

15 need to ensure a long-term approach in Qushtapa. In this respect, DRC is positioning itself as the major humanitarian actor in Qushtapa Camp. DRC Iraq has substantially scaled-up its intervention in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees while supporting the promotion of durable solutions. DRC Iraq’s emergency strategy focuses on the following core sectors of intervention: • • • • • • •

Livelihoods Emergency Cash Assistance NFIs / Winterization Capacity Building/Coordination Protection WASH Shelter

Livelihoods: In order to contribute to durable solutions for displacement affected communities (both Syrian refugees and hosting communities) in Iraqi Kurdistan, DRC is currently implementing a livelihood programme, funded by UNHCR, aimed at supporting 200 Syrian refugees with an apprenticeship scheme which provides beneficiaries with on-the-job training. Syrian refugees have the opportunity to build their skills under the tutorage of experienced professionals, thus increasing their marketability and chances of obtaining future employment and generating a sustainable income. DRC will also provide 300 small business with management training and support the development of business plans through In-Kind/Cash Grants to develop sustainable businesses. Since September 2013, DRC has been operating as a job placement hub, matching skills available within the refugee population with identified market needs. DRC’s Livelihood Team has already provided 167 job placements/apprenticeships for Syrian refugees in 18 businesses (restaurants, cafes, hotels, supermarkets, malls and internet centers). Out of the 167 beneficiaries, 123 are Syrian refugees and 44 are members from the local communities, emphasizing DRC’s willingness to also support local communities in order to ensure that host communities continue to positively receive refugees. 30% of the apprentices are women. In October, Business Development Services (BDS) training was also organized with the help of an external consultant for the DRC Livelihood Staff. This training will now be replicated for 330 Syrian refugees and hosting Iraqis.

Emergency Cash Assistance: Unconditional cash assistance will be provided to the most vulnerable members of the displacement affected population in Dohuk and Erbil Governorates with the support of SDC and SIDA funding. In total, DRC will assist 1,400 of the most vulnerable households (7,000 individuals) through emergency cash assistance to help them manage the extreme stressors of displacement. In September and October 2013, DRC has recruited a Cash Manager Programme Manager to assist with her expertise in the implementation of the programme. The team has worked hard to prepare for the first round of distribution, which will take place in late November.

NFIs/Winterization: As winter approaches in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), DRC has been actively preparing the NFI distribution that will take place in November to improve the living conditions of conflict and displacement-affected Syrians. In this respect, 1,000 NFI kits including winter clothes will be distributed in Qushtapa Camp to help 5,000 individuals manage the winter climate.

Capacity Building/Coordination: DRC is working to strengthen the coordination capacities of key duty bearers to manage the Syrian emergency response and enhance the protection environment for vulnerable Syrian refugees. The objective is to train at least 6 Mukhtars and build the capacity of 25 members of Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Governorate Emergency Cells (GEC). In October, DRC conducted a training workshop in the KRI to enhance the coordination

16 and technical expertise of 25 GEC members in the field of Camp Management. The training included topics such as setting up a camp, managing registration and distribution, managing conflicts within a camp, organizing and setting up temporary shelter, as well as addressing specific requisites for vulnerable populations. It allowed participants to improve their capacity and knowledge of Camp Management in emergencies with a view to the international standards. The workshop lasted five days and included practical desktop group exercises and outdoor field exercise focusing on current Syrian refugee camps in Erbil. The training will help participants develop future planning on Camp Management for the respective camps in the three governorates of the KRI.

Protection: Protection is a core aspect of DRC programming. In the framework of its cash assistance programme, DRC will ensure that 2,500 vulnerable Syrian refugees in Dohuk and Erbil receive crucial information concerning available services, referral options and protection concerns. DRC’s Protection Team has prepared the protection leaflets and the delivery of protection messages will start to take place in November, in line with the first cash distribution.

WASH: DRC is intervening in Qushtapa camp in Erbil Governorate with the support of UNICEF funding to address the basic water, sanitation and hygiene needs of 5,000 Syrian refugees. In October, DRC distributed 859 hygiene kits (including soap, shampoo, towels, tooth paste and tooth brushes, laundry detergent, hair brushes, dish soap, buckets, clotheslines, etc.) and 795 jerry-cans to 3,845 individuals. These items will improve the hygiene conditions around the camp. DRC will continue its WASH activities through the training of hygiene promoters and the launching of hygiene promotion campaigns. This will be crucial in ensuring that beneficiaries are aware of key public health risks and are mobilized to adopt measures to prevent the deterioration of the hygiene conditions of their environment. These services seek to provide better hygiene conditions in the camp, and should avoid the outbreak of an epidemic.

SHELTER : DRC is working in Qushtapa Camp to ensure that the living conditions of Syrian refugees are enhanced through improved shelters and cooking facilities. DRC is planning to supervise the construction of 500 concrete slabs and 125 kitchen blocs with concreting and physical structure. This project is part of DRC’s winterization strategy to enhance the living conditions of Syrians by creating a concrete edifice for tents to decrease heat loss through the ground and isolate shelters from the rain and mud. This will be complemented by the establishment of sanitary cooking facilities, which will increase hygienic conditions for Syrians.

17

“I am here because of my children – the fighting and shelling makes Syria a dangerous place. Our house was destroyed during an attack and now we are living in a tent here in Kurdistan. It is of course modest conditions but it is better than the first weeks after arrival – when we were sleeping in a public park. I am proud to join the DRC efforts in the camp as a community promoter. You could even say I have already started. In my daily conversations around the camp I advise other refugees on anything from collecting garbage and keeping their living spaces clean to not leaving their drinking water in the sun.”

DRC’s cash for work program is designed to make sure that refugees are using their resources and developing competences rather than being forced into passivity. At the same time, the program provides a sense of dignity, ownership and stability in the camp. Finally, the salaries ensure refugees the ability to provide for their families. The Qushtapa camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) hosts about 5,000 Syrian refugees. DRC was the first INGO to start working in the camp alongside the local government. DRC’s activities include WASH, sanitation, and a ‘cash for work program’ enabling around 60 Syrian refugees to take on half-day jobs and take active part in the day-to-day maintenance and development of the camp. Based on experience and skills, another 20 are employed as daily labors and 15 have received a DRC contract. One of the newest beneficiaries in the cash for work program is a former pharmacist forced to flee his home in Damascus with his wife and five children.

18

TURKEY “Contrary to the well-supported Syrian refugees living in GoT-run camps, the larger in number Syrian non-camp population do not have access to the same level and range of services. The burden on the GoT continues to grow – and DRC stands as one of the few INGOs working with non-camp Syrians in Turkey to support the humanitarian effort. DRC – with national partners – has set up community centers intended to provide conflict-affected Syrians with a protective space of their own to cope with their new environment and to deal with the emotional distress of displacement. DRC works closely with community center staff and volunteers to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge so that they are in a stronger position to assist, support or refer individuals and families who are struggling to re-build their lives. In terms of more immediate relief support, DRC is tailoring a package of non-food items to assist the most vulnerable Syrian families, particularly before the onset of winter. Such support, in combination with governmental and other efforts by the humanitarian community, aims to improve the lives of individuals and families in concrete and positive ways.” Sarah Saleh, Country Director, DRC Turkey.

Accumulated number of beneficiaries for the year:

5,392 individuals

Reporting period (September-October) number of beneficiaries:

2,050 individuals

Map of geographical areas of operation DRC/DDG works in the two key provinces of Hatay and Sanliurfa in southern and southeastern Turkey, respectively. The highest concentrations of Syrian refugees are in Sanliurfa Province (estimated at 100,000), with sizable numbers in Hatay Province (estimated at 60,000) – these figures exclude those living in the camps. Sanliurfa is a diverse city with a mixed Arab, Kurdish and Turkish population, and with refugees who are of equally diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. It is an area with high levels of vulnerability and limited humanitarian activities compared to the growing needs of existing and incoming refugees. Though it is home to a slightly lower number of refugees, and a greater presence of humanitarian aid agencies, Hatay province has to contend with greater sensitivities in relation to the conflict in Syria, with its sizable Alawi Muslim community, and other minorities such as Sunni Muslims, Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholics, Maronites, Greek-Orthodox Christians and Armenians. The continued pressure from Syrian arrivals may threaten the delicate balance between the mix of religious, ethnic, and linguistic communities in the province.

Sectors of intervention

19

Sector

Intervention  

Protection/Community Services

Community centers primarily in two main areas (Hatay and Sanliurfa) serve as hubs for: psychosocial, life skills and rehabilitative support; risk education; information counseling and referral; intercultural activities targeting both refugee and host populations; legal counseling and assistance in line with GoT messaging and policies. The centers also serve as protection spaces for identifying particularly vulnerable cases that will benefit from catered assistance. Center activities are supplemented with outreach activities to 3,500 individuals, and are intended to ensure the inclusion of individuals and groups unable to access the centers. By the end of 2013, DRC plans to reach 10,000 beneficiaries.

Civil Society Development  

Closely working and collaborating with national partners will enable the transfer of knowledge and skills in DRC’s areas of expertise through regular formal trainings and one-on-one mentoring support.  

Coordination Services  

Providing information management and coordination services for more than 35 NGOs operating in Turkey ensures adequate information-sharing and appropriate responses to the crisis.  

NFI Distribution to New Comers Special Needs Fund

Providing NFIs to 2,000 households of newcomers.

Targeting 580 extremely vulnerable cases, which will be identified by using a set of vulnerability criteria and a clear referral mechanism. The SNF will be used as a last resort.

Protection/Community Services: Through two national partners, Support to Life (STL), and International Middle East Research Center (IMPR)?, DRC supports the establishment and functioning of two community centers, one in Altinözü, Hatay province and the other in Sanliurfa city, aimed at providing a range of services to the Syrian refugee population in Turkey and the affected host communities. Such activities include: psychosocial, life skills and rehabilitative support; information counseling on existing services; intercultural activities; legal counseling; service mapping; outreach; and risk education. In September and October 2013, approximately 1,250 new beneficiaries participated in the activities of both community centers, targeting children, women and youth, as well as local organizations from both Syrian and host communities. As of the end of October 2013, the community center programs have reached approximately 3,250 beneficiaries. In Hatay,the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal, attended the Altinözü community center inauguration. In addition, intercultural and human rights workshops have started in a Turkish state school, targeting 500 host community beneficiaries from ages 11 to 15, promoting children’s rights, diversity and multiculturalism. In Sanliurfa, a community day attended by 200 beneficiaries was held in the new community center as part of the participatory planning approach. In parallel to participatory programming activities, local service mapping has been initiated; approximately 25 local organizations have been contacted to be part of the referral system. A protection consultant has conducted a comprehensive assessment as part of the preparation of the Special Needs Fund (SNF) project.

20 In response to the widespread contamination of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) in Syria, and in collaboration with STL, DRC/DDG is currently implementing a Risk Education (RE) project in Hatay province to reduce the risks and hazards posed by dangerous items to Syrian refugees upon their return to their places of origin. As of the end of October 2013, 246 RE sessions have been conducted, targeting a total of 2,142 Syrian refugees (1,022 children, 232 youth and 888 male/female adults). There has been a marked increase in adult female participation in the sessions after project teams began conducting such sessions in private homes with groups of females from local neighborhoods – this has gone a long way in making them feel more at ease. Evening sessions have been conducted in order to reach the young male population, most of whom are working during the day. A Training of Trainers (ToT) has been carried out for a group of volunteers, who subsequently have joined the team. Continuous monitoring shows good results, especially amongst the children, youth and young adults, with increased awareness of safe behavior after attending RE sessions. In preparation of launching the BPRM project, three colleagues from the region delivered a training for DRC and implementing partners’ staff on donor compliance, covering the below subjects: Finance, procurement and reporting.

“We were about to start a RE session in a private home, when a little girl started crying. Her mother explained that she is afraid of everything related to the war. The mother was very concerned. I suggested for the mother to attend the session with my colleague while I stayed with the girl. She agreed and I spend one hour playing with the girl, drawing pictures and talking. She related everything to shells and weapons – even the flowers. After the session, I talked to the mother again and informed her about the community center, where they could see a psychologist. She was very positive and we agreed on making a referral.” Hannah, STL RE Project Officer. Picture from RE session with children.

21

LIBYA “Libya has no domestic legal framework for granting asylum. Vulnerable Syrian families in Libya, especially female headed households and large families with several children, find themselves in need of protection and basic assistance. DRC staff conduct family visits, assess the need for support and the type of assistance required. Our team of trained legal aid counselors assist Syrian asylum seekers to recover essential documents such as passports and birth certificates and help them gain access to essential services such as the enrolment of children in local schools. We also refer vulnerable families and individuals to services available from other service providers including UNHCR, and other local and international NGOs. During October we witnessed a worrying increase in the number of Syrian families departing from Libya by boat and making risky journeys across the Mediterranean Sea in the hope of finding protection in Europe. Some, including children, have tragically lost their lives. This underscores the urgent need for effective protection measures in countries such as Libya, and the region more generally.” Nigel Clarke, Country Director, DRC Libya.

Sept./Oct. total number of beneficiaries:

77 individuals

Accumulated number of beneficiaries for the year:

725 individuals

Map of geographical areas of operation

Tripoli

Darnah

Misratah Benghazi Nalut

Al Qubah Bani Walid

Ghadamis Mizdah

Syrian refugees are appearing throughout Libya, but are mainly concentrated in the bigger towns and cities along the coast. DRC operates out of Tripoli and Sabha.

Al Butnan

Surt

Al Wahat Ajdabiya

Wadi Al Shatii

Sector of intervention

Al Jufrah Sabha

• Protection

Wadi Al Hayaa Ghat Murz uq

Al Kufrah

Protection: Although Libya has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no domestic asylum legislation, Libya has been providing Syrians with visas to enter the country and residence cards to stay in Libya. It has also granted them access to essential services. UNHCR registers Syrians as asylum seekers with the permission of the Libyan Government, and DRC helps refer new arrivals to UNHCR, which can also provide individual assistance to certain vulnerable cases. The estimated population of Syrian asylum seekers in Libya currently stands at 15,274 individuals (UNHCR figures). DRC runs a legal aid counseling center in Tripoli for mixed migrants and has been able to help hundreds of Syrians who have lost essential personal documentation and who need assistance to access health and education services. DRC also refers vulnerable cases to other agencies providing specialist support such as medical services. Currently, most cases for Syrians are related to school or university registration. Syrians in Libya also require assistance with documentation, such as residence permits and visa renewal. This can be especially difficult for those whose passports have expired, as there is no Syrian Embassy in Libya.

22 While the overall number of cases is low, a worrying trend is the growing number of Syrians who are transiting through Libya as a departure point, before taking dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Ocean by boat. During October there were a number of deaths and rescues at sea off the coast of Malta and Italy.

Syrian refugee family living in Tripoli (The family wishes to remain anonymous) A couple with two children under the age of five is living under modest conditions in one room. At the moment they have no source of income and are under threat of eviction. The family has been displaced seven times – multiple times inside Syria, in Turkey, and finally in Libya, since the father deserted the Syrian army. They have lost close family members and exhausted all resources. “At first Syrians were well received in Libya but with the growing numbers tensions are increasing. We are of a minority religion and therefore we are threatened by the Syrian refugee community as well as the local population. We have moved several times and changed our names but our children have not left this room for more than a month – if we let them outside to play we risk exposure,” says the father of the family and continues: “I was able to find a job as a day laborer at a construction site but I have no legal documents and I was told that I had done well but that it would cost me six thousand dinars to be released… I know how dangerous an illegal crossing to Italy is but I don’t see any other options at the moment. If I find a way of getting the needed funds together I will get my family out.” His wife elaborates: “I am losing it – my memory is disappearing. My five-year-old daughter is expressing the wish to end her life. What options do we have?

23

DRC / Middle East & North Africa Headquarters Lone Bildsøe Lassen Head of MENA Section Elsa Cardenas Moreno Head of MENA Desk Svend Monrad Graunbøl Head of MENA Desk

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

+45 3373 5049 +45 3373 5005 +45 3373 5047

Regional Office Hugh Fenton Lene Rasmussen Yves-Kim Creac’h Thomas Hvas Rimal K. Louzi

Regional Director Danish Demining Group Regional Manager Senior Emergency Manager Regional Grants Coordinator Regional Head of Finance & Admin

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

+962 79 638 7798 +962 79 969 2578 + 961 70 29 25 79 +962 79 878 3743 +962 656 6586

Country Director Emergency Coordinator

[email protected] [email protected]

+963 954 666 657 +963 953 666 640

Country Director Grants and Communications Officer

[email protected] [email protected]

Country Director Head of Programmes

[email protected] [email protected]

Country Director Head of Programmes

[email protected] [email protected]

Country Director Programme Manager

[email protected] [email protected]

+90 543 532 4622 +90 539 899 7572

Country Director

[email protected]

+218 91 475 8226

Syria Kim Petersen Max Benevalli

Lebanon Olivier Beucher Rachel Routley

+961 316 8318 +961 791 0492

Jordan Maurizio Crivellaro Dalia al-Awqati

+962 77 988 5888 +962 79 963 5920

Iraq Michael Bates Ben Nixon

+964 771 174 8789 +964 780 925 5280

Turkey Sarah Saleh Alexandre Adam

Libya & Tunisia Nigel Clarke

24

NATREEN - WAITING

Back-page picture by Leila Alaoui from the forthcoming photo exhibition “Waiting” at STATION exhibit space, Jisr El Wati, Beirut, November 29 and December 1, 2013, Open from 10am to 5pm. Sponsored by the European Commission Humanitarian and Civil Protection Department (ECHO)