IOM Regional Response to the Crisis IOM Regional Response to the Syria Crisis

SITUATION REPORT 131 - February29 August 20132013

27 Psychosocial professionals and volunteers were trained on ‘Puppetry for Social Dialogue’ in . To date, IOM has trained 182 professionals and community workers from various governorates in Syria in mental health and psychosocial consid- erations.© IOM 2013

HIGHLIGHTS Since March 2011, IOM has provided  Syria: IOM distributed 14,264 NFIs including hygiene assistance to over 1.5 million vulnerable and house cleaning kits, jerry cans, and baby diapers migrants, IDPs, refugees and communi- to 41,448 affected beneficiaries in Homs, Damascus, ties affected by the humanitarian crisis Rural Damascus, Idleb, Hama, and Latakia. in Syria. IOM provides assistance to affected communities in Syria, , Leb-  Iraq: IOM transported 37,073 Syrian refugees from anon, , , and Egypt. IOM Peshkhabour and Sehela border crossings to reach staff is being sensitized to heightened camps and transit sites in Dahuk, Erbil and Sulay- security risk levels and threats. Despite a maniyah. marked deterioration of security across the region in the past two weeks which  Jordan: IOM transported 1,454 Syrian refugees has impacted operations particularly from Raba’ al Sarhan to EJC (69) and Za’atri camp inside Syria and , IOM was able (1,385). IOM has provided transportation assistance to provide humanitarian assistance to to 333,876 Syrian refugees since July 2012. over 85,000 vulnerable individuals.

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IOM OPERATIONS IN SYRIA Non-Food Item (NFI) Distribu- tion: From 13 to 27 August, IOM distributed 14,264 NFIs including hygiene and house cleaning kits, jerry cans, and baby diapers to 41,448 affected beneficiaries in Homs, Damas- cus, Rural Damascus, Idleb, Ha- ma, and Latakia. IOM staff worked alongside representa- tives from Orthodox Charity, Syria Trust, Al Faihaa Associa- Since July, IOM has trained 102 shelter managers in Damascus, Rural Damascus, Tar- tion, and Syrian Arab Red Cres- tous, and Homs. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Syria) cent (SARC) to ensure quick and efficient delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable beneficiaries. On 26 August, cial Development (SSSD) trained 27 professionals distributions in Rural Damascus were cancelled due to and volunteers on ‘Puppetry for Social Dialogue’ in insecurity. Damascus. The participants were from the SSSD, the Children Culture Directorate, Ministry of Educa- IOM is finalizing the rehabilitation of a warehouse in tion, SARC, Faculty of Education, Terre Des Tartous. IOM will preposition items in Tartous to assist Hommes (TDH), International Medical Corps (IMC), the Organization to respond quickly and effectively to UNRWA, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch needs reported in the area. Tartous, is a port city, lo- (GOPA), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), volunteers cated in close proximity to the Syrian-Lebanese border. from Good Sheperd NGO and local community vol- unteers from Damascus, Homs, and Quamishly. Since January 2013, IOM has assisted over 277,472 After the training, participants commented that IDPs in 12 governorates in Syria through the provision they were now equipped to use puppetry as a of 89,307 NFI kits including mattresses, blankets, clean- counseling medium and they had leant how to use ing items, insecticides, baby diapers, kitchen sets, un- their voices and body language when working with derwear, jerry cans, and disability support items. IOM children. plans to reach 500,000 IDPs by the end of 2013. Since July 2013, IOM has trained 102 shelter managers Psychosocial Support to Affected Communities: IOM in Damascus, Rural Damascus, Tartous and Homs on provides operational assistance and training to in- how to protect and promote the psychosocial wellbe- crease/build the capacity of professionals and volun- ing of the residents in the day-to-day activities of the teers to provide psychosocial support to people affect- shelter. Shelter managers report that they observe ed by the crisis in Syria. stress reactions amongst the residents of the collective shelters such as fatigue, stress, and insomnia. Some- During the reporting period, IOM staff ran 2 work- times the stress may be caused by the conditions of the shops: centers, and the way their services are organized.

· Training of Trainers (18 – 22 August): On 22 August, To date, IOM has trained 182 professionals and com- IOM completed the training of 15 professional munity workers from various governorates in Syria in trainers to deliver supportive communication, ac- mental health and psychosocial considerations, who tive listening and self-care workshops to NGO front- have provided assistance to over 42,000 men, women, line workers. These professionals will organize and children affected by the crisis. training workshops in Homs, Aleppo, and Lattakia; 910 frontline workers will benefit from this pro- Identification and Assessment of Emergency Collective gramme. Shelters for Rehabilitation: During the reporting period, IOM staff completed technical assessments of 18 shel- · Training on Art-Based Interventions (21 – 25 August): ters in Rural Damascus that accommodate 412 IDP IOM, with the support of the Syrian Society for So- households (2,644 beneficiaries).

IOM ▼ Situation Report – 29 August 2013 2 SYRIA OPERATIONS cont. Repair and rehabilitation of 42 collective shelters is on- and 107 children). going in Homs (20), Hama (9), Latakia (7), and Damas- cus (6). The shelters under repair accommodate 2,925 Resettlement Assistance for Refugees from Syria: IDP households (14,680 individuals). Progress reports From 13 to 27 August, IOM provided resettlement as- indicate that repair and rehabilitation of almost 60% of sistance to 291 refugees from Iraq (117), Palestine (7), the 42 shelters is complete. Somalia (7), and 4 Syrian nationals married to Iraqi and Palestian refugees. The refugees were assisted to trav- Since January 2013, IOM has identified 342 collective el to Australia (125), Canada (88), United States of shelters and completed technical assessments of 97 America (65), New Zealand (11), and Finland (2). Since shelters in 4 governorates. According to the SARC, the January 2013, IOM has provided resettlement assis- number of displaced population in Syria has reached tance to 4,061 refugees who have been escorted by 4.25 million with 147,000 IDPs living in over 829 shel- road from Damascus to and flown out of Rafic ters. Hariri International Airport. IOM is planning to assist 1,600 refugees before January 2014. Repatriation to Stranded Migrants: IOM provides as- sistance to vulnerable stranded migrants to leave Syria and return to their countries of origin. From 13 to 27 August, IOM provided repatriation assistance to 148 stranded migrants, including 118 adults and 21 chil- dren to return to the Philippines (96), South Sudan (16), Yemen (15), Sudan (12), Ethiopia (4), and Moldo- va (5). During the reporting period, IOM teams report- ed delays at the Masnaa border crossing into Lebanon as there is an influx of refugees leaving Syria as a result of the escalation of violence in Damascus. IOM has a remaining caseload of 658 stranded migrants who re- Accommodation and toilet blocks were delivered to a col- quire assistance to leave Syria. Since January 2013, lective Center in Latakia, that accommodates over 5,000 IOM has assisted 636 stranded migrants (473 adults IDPs. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Syria)

Ahmed’s Story. During a visit to the Sport City Collective Shelter in Latakia City, that ac- commodates over 5,000 IDPs, IOM staff noticed a ten year old boy in ob- vious distress who was screaming at his mother. Ahmed, a Syrian IDP, who suffers from a hearing impediment, is struggling to adjust to living at the center. His mother explains that for many months she was unable to communicate with her son as she left his hearing aid behind in their home on the night they fled (4 August 2012). She told staff that the night they were forced to leave their home in Oubin she was panicking and did not have time to search for the aid as she was desperately trying to get her 7 children out the house and to safety. It was a number of months before a local charity were able to secure a replacement hearing aid, during those months it was difficult to explain to Ahmed what had happened to his home and his school and his friends. He still believes that his house and Ahmed (age 10) school are waiting for him in Oubin (Alhaffah District) and he cannot un- derstand why the family remains at the collective center. Ahmed and his family are completely depend- ent on food, NFI, and shelter assistance provided at the center as the family relied on income generated from the produce from their farm which they can no longer access.

In 2013, IOM has distributed almost 9,400 NFI kits in the Sport City in Latakia. The kits include baby dia- pers, underwear, house cleaning items, insecticides, and the disability kits include wheel chairs and portable toilets for IDPs with limited mobility. At the center, IOM has installed 60 prefab accommoda- tion units (each unit accommodates 3 families), and 49 toilet and shower units. 7,000 IDPs will benefit from improved facilities and services once the repair and rehabilitation work being carried out by IOM is complete in early September.

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IRAQ OPERATIONS

A Syrian family from Al Hasaka. They crossed into Iraq on 16 Au- gust after waiting to cross at the border for six days. Now they are living in a building under construc- tion. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Iraq)

Assistance to Syrian Refugees to reach Camps and Vulnerability and Needs Assessments in Ninewa: Transit Sites from the Border: Since 15 August, IOM From 18 to 25 August, IOM, in coordination with local has arranged over 1,500 trips to transport 37,073 Syri- authorities in Zumar sub-district, assessed 50 families an refugees from Sehela and Peshkhabour border (420 individuals) to identify families eligible to receive crossings to camps and transit sites in Dahuk, Erbil and NFI assistance. Key findings indicate that all the fami- Sulaymaniyah. The population of Syrian refugees in lies had entered Iraq in the last 3 months through the Iraq is now considered to be approximately 197,000. Sehela border crossing; none of the families had regis- tered with UNHCR. Most of the families were either IOM has transported refugees to Aarbad District camp, renting accommodation or living in buildings still under Gawer Gosik camp, Baharka temporary camp, Kawa construction without any basic services. Few families camp and Qushtapa town, Harir Camp in Basrima, had a regular source of income; the majority of fami- Bekhme Dam area, and Domiz Camp. This influx of ref- lies rely on food assistance from the local community. ugees has been accommodated across 8 camps and 11 of the 50 families are female-headed households communities in Dahuk, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. and 36 families report at least one member with a dis- ability or chronic disease requiring treatment. All the Since 23 August, IOM has erected 170 tents in Harir households assessed meet the vulnerability criteria camp, to accommodate approximately 850 Syrian ref- and will receive NFI assistance from IOM. ugees.

IOM has deployed 16 – 18 staff to collect basic infor- mation from refugees travelling on IOM transport to create rough profiles on family demographics, places of origin, desired locations in Iraq, and priority needs and services.

Refugees speaking with IOM staff report that thou- sands remain behind waiting to cross into Iraq. Refu- gees, most of whom have come from Aleppo, Hasska- IOM provided 200 tents for newly arrived refugees in Harir hes, Qamishli and Efrin, report that the conditions in camp. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Iraq). Syria have deteriorated quickly in the past few months as fighting has intensified, with shortages of food and a surge in the cost of basic commodities.

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LEBANON OPERATIONS

IOM is providing 104 vulnerable Syrian refugee families in South Lebanon with rental assistance for 6 months. © IOM 2013

Challenges for Access and Implementing Activities: 1,620 households and identified 104 of the most vul- Since 15 August, IOM activities and operations in South nerable Syrian refugee families, across 8 villages in Lebanon and Tripoli have been impacted by height- South Lebanon, in need of rental assistance for six ened security measures following incidents in Tripoli months. On 23 August, IOM distributed the first and Southern Beirut. monthly installment to 40 households. IOM is currently procuring shelter support and weather-proofing items Transit Assistance to stranded migrants and refugees for distribution before the onset of winter. IOM will accepted for resettlement from Syria: The Govern- focus on distributing these items to refugees with spe- ment of Lebanon has suggested IOM establish an office cial needs and those living in high-lying areas of the at the Masnaa border crossing point since the Organi- country affected by low temperatures, snow, and high zation maintains a presence at the Lebanese-Syrian rainfall during the winter months. border crossing point in Masnaa. IOM operates a land- bridge between Damascus and Beirut since February Rapid Health Assessment Findings: The initial findings 2013 to assist refugees accepted for resettlement from from an ongoing health needs assessment, completed Syria and stranded migrants, to transit through Leba- by an IOM emergency health response team, indicate non and fly out of Rafic Hariri International Airport. that there are gaps in health service coverage despite Since February 2013, 4,091 refugees and 510 stranded the multitude of health actors (both national and inter- migrants were assisted by IOM to transit through Leba- national humanitarian actors) already working on the non. ground to support the existing national health care system. The main gaps and constraints that have been Resettlement Assistance to 5,000 Syrian Refugees: identified are financial barriers, geographical coverage IOM is finalizing preparations for a charter flight for gaps, and health workforce constraints. Health needs 124 Syrian refugees to Germany which is scheduled for are on the increase across the country due to the con- 11 September 2013. These refugees, who form part of tinuous influx of refugees and Lebanese returnees flee- the 5,000 Syrian refugees accepted for resettlement to ing Syria. Certain areas, such as Mount Lebanon, re- Germany, are the first group to travel to Hanover. IOM main largely uncovered by health sector partners. is providing these refugees with medical screening, cultural orientation, assistance to obtain travel docu- Non-Food Item (NFI) Distributions: During the re- ments, and resettlement transport. Over the next 12 porting period, IOM distributed 110 hygiene and digni- months, IOM, in coordination with the Government of ty kits to 552 beneficiaries in Ghassaniyeh and El Germany and UNHCR, will assist 5,000 Syrian refugees Merouaniye. IOM has started the procurement of win- to be resettled to Germany. ter NFI items. At the request of UNHCR, IOM will focus distributions in areas in the North and the Bekaa areas Shelter Assistance to Vulnerable Syrian Refugee which are not covered by partners. IOM is planning to Households: Nationwide shelter shortages continue to distribute 2,900 kits for an estimated 14,500 vulnera- concern IOM and partners. Since June 2013, in coordi- ble beneficiaries. nation with the local municipalities, IOM assessed

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IOM OPERATIONS IN TURKEY

Residents of Adiyaman camp wait in the shade for transport services organized by IOM and camp management; 60% of all beneficiaries making use of this service are male. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Turkey)

Transportation services for residents of Adiyaman Transportation for Syrian Refugees at Adiyaman camp camp: From 13 to 25 August, IOM and partners (1 July - 29 August 2013) have assisted 1,269 Syrian nationals with transpor- Total Male Female tation services from Adiyaman camp to medical Reporting Week facilities and social service centers. Since the begin- pax Passengers Passengers ning of the pilot project, 5,248 Syrian nationals 1 - 7 July 980 701 279 benefitted from the transportation services in Adi- 8 - 14 July 626 269 357 yaman camp. On 22 August, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey 15 - 21 July 712 409 254 (AFAD) requested that IOM expand the project to 22 - 28 July 663 420 243 other camps. IOM will complete feasibility assess- ments in the coming weeks to determine where 29 July - 4 August 568 288 280 best to provide the intervention. 5 - 11 August 377 252 125 12 - 18 August 643 378 265 19 - 25 August 679 407 272

Beneficiaries assisted 5,248 3,124 2,075

Residents of Adiyaman camp make use of a transport service to and from health facilities and the market in Adiyaman city. © IOM 2013 (Photo: IOM Turkey)

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IOM OPERATIONS IN JORDAN

Emergency Transportation of Refugees: 1,454 Syrian refugees were transported from the Rabaa’ Refugees Transported by IOM (13 - 27 al Sarhan Screening Center to Za’atri camp during August) the reporting period (13 to 25 August). While this 200 is double the number assisted during the previous reporting period, the figures remain low with an 150 average of 110 new arrivals per day. As IOM teams routinely continue to medically screen all arrivals 100 to Za’atri camp, they reported 45 individuals were 50 identified with medical conditions which required immediate referral for treatment. Since transport 0 operations began in July 2012, IOM has transport- ed 333,876 Syrian refugees from border areas to camps. All new arrivals received refreshments, hy- giene kits, and shoes upon arrival at the IOM reception On 21 August, following reports of large numbers of center in Za’atri camp. IOM distributes shoes as many Syrian casualties in areas near Damascus, residents of refugees have lost theirs along the way or their shoes Za’atri camp imposed a 3-day mourning period and hu- are worn out because they had to walk for many hours manitarian partners were requested to stop all activities and sometimes days before reaching the border. including visits and distributions. IOM continued to transport refugees to the camp however health teams Contingency Planning: During the reporting period, did not carry out TB screening in the camp during this 3- IOM and partners met to formalize plans to receive a day period of mourning. potential influx of Syrian refugees in the wake of the alleged chemical attack near Damascus last week. Part- Raising Awareness on Human Trafficking: On 21 Au- ners reviewed contingency plans for an estimated gust, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooper- 30,000 to 40,000 new arrivals in the next two weeks. ation (MPOIC) endorsed an IOM counter-trafficking pro- gram ‘Awareness Raising on Counter-trafficking for Syri- From January to March 2013, IOM staff were trans- ans and Jordanians in Mafraq City’. This is the first coun- porting up to 3,000 Syrian refugees in 24 hour shifts ter-trafficking intervention targeting Syrian refugees in from the screening center in Raba’ al Sarhan to Za’atri Jordan. The awareness raising campaign will run for 3 camp and the Emirates Jordanian Camp. In the event months and IOM plans to raise awareness amongst an that there is a surge in new arrivals from Syria, IOM will estimated 5,000 urban refugees and members of the deploy surge staff to provide transport for up to 5,000 host community in Mafraq - the city hosting the highest refugees within 24 hour shifts. Partners have agreed number of Syrian refugees in Jordan. that up to 20,000 refugees could be accommodated in Za’atri camp after which they will be transported by IOM to Azraq camp - which is currently under construc- tion and is estimated to have the capacity to host up to 50,000 refugees.

IOM and partners are speeding up the construction of the camp in order to prepare to accommodate new arri- vals.

On 28 August, IOM and partners met to revise the fig- ures for expected arrivals by the end of 2013 and to dis- cuss the most likely scenarios in preparation for the 6th Inter-Agency Regional Response Plan (RRP6).

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IOM’s activities are generously supported by:

CONTACTS:

Preparedness and Response Division | Mario Lito Malanca I [email protected] Donor Relations Division |+41.22.717.92.71 | [email protected]

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