Aid
Aid traffickers: Hand in Hand for Syria, and their struggle to get aid into the country
Writing in The Majalla, Tam Hussein writes about the men struggling with the logistics of delivering aid inside Syria. The article features Faddy Sahloul, a British-born Syrian, the founder of Hand in Hand for Syria: “Faddy Sahloul, the founder of Hand in Hand for Syria, rubs his tired eyes and pulls heavily on his cigarette. […]
UNHCR welcomes Turkey’s registration of urban refugees from Syria
On a three day visit to Turkey, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has praised the Turkish government’s decision to include urban refugees, as well as the 186,000 Syrian refugees hosted in 17 state-run camps. So far, 40,000 Syrians have been registered in urban areas, with a further 30,000 on the waiting list. Guterres […]
The education of thousands of children in Syria is threatened by conflict, says UNICEF
UNICEF has said that after two years of conflict in Syria, the education of thousands of children is being threatened. They estimate that a fifth of Syria’s schools have suffered direct physical damage or are being used to shelter displaced persons. The key findings of UNICEF’s assessment are: At least 2,400 schools have been damaged […]
“I never imagined that I would one day be a refugee myself:” Syrian doctor treats refugees in Iraq
A Syrian doctor, who treated Iraqi refugees in Syria in 2006, is now a refugee himself in Iraq. UN refugee agency, UNHCR spends a day with Dr Hassan at Domiz refugee camp in Kurdistan, where he found work in a clinic run by Médecins Sans Frontières, treating refugees fleeing Syria. Dr Hassan said: “I never […]
Médecins Sans Frontières warns of the “collapse” of Syria healthcare system, says both sides are to blame
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said that both sides in the Syria conflict are deliberately causing the country’s healthcare system to collapse. After two years of conflict, MSF said in a report that more than a third of Syria’s hospitals were no longer functioning and urged talks on allowing for the provision of humanitarian aid. […]
Water shortages in Syria increase water-borne and sanitation related diseases
With fuel and electricity shortages across Syria, water pumps have been taken out of commission. UN agencies have warned that the availability of fresh water has declined considerably, and as a result disease is on the increase. UNICEF have said that water availabilty in Syria has decreased to a third of pre-crisis levels, from 75 […]
UNICEF provides pyschoscial support to over 32,000 children across Syria
Over 32,000 children across Syria are being provided with pyschosocial support by UNICEF. In Damascus, rural Damascus, Homs and Aleppo (including in insecure locations), children are being offered help. UNICEF also supports school clubs in 177 schools, with some 50,000 students participating, which is 33.8% of the target. About 83,700 children have received essential school […]
Politicising aid is not the answer for Syria, says the Red Cross’ director of operations Pierre Krähenbühl
The director of operations of the international committee of the Red Cross, Pierre Krähenbühl has written for the Guardian about sending aid to Syria. Krähenbühl writes: “It is healthy and justified to critically review the humanitarian response in any armed conflict, to analyse whether or not it is carried out in a principled manner. But […]
UNICEF steps up its humanitarian assistance in Syria – aims to deliver aid to 4 million people
Despite the worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria, UNICEF has stepped up its delivery of aid, aiming to deliver to 4 million people. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Representative in Syria, said: “Even as the situation deteriorates, UNICEF has managed to expand its operations to deliver essential relief supplies like blankets, children’s clothes, hygiene items, plastic sheets, and high-energy […]
