Restorative, Essential, and Comprehensive Assistance for Vulnerable Populations to Enhance Resiliency (RECOVER) Sixth Quarterly Report January 1 – March 31, 2018

Funded by USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Country Contact Headquarters Contact Program Summary: Award Number: AID- OFDA-A-16-00050 Start Date: October 1, 2016 End Date: September 30, 2017 Modified End Date: March 30, 2017 Report Date: October 31, 2017 Total New Award: $10,782,547

Mercy Corps – North Quarter 6: AID- OFDA-A-16-00050 1

ABBREVIATIONS

AOG – Armed Opposition Group AIU – Access and Information Unit BCP – Border Crossing Point GoS – Government of Syria IDP – Internally Displaced Person IED – Improvised Explosive Device INGO – International Non-Governmental Organization ISIS – Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (also known as ISIL/IS/Daesh) LC – Local Council M&E – Monitoring and Evaluation NFI – Non-Food Item NGO – Non-Governmental Organization OFDA – Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance PDM – Post Distribution Monitoring PSS – Psychosocial Support RuAF – Russian Air Force SDF – Syrian Defense Forces RVD - Registration, Verification, and Distribution TRC – Turkish Red Crescent YPG – People’s Protection Unit (A Kurdish armed group) HTS - Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham

Mercy Corps – North Syria Quarter 6: AID- OFDA-A-16-00050 2

I. Program Overview The Restorative, Essential, and Comprehensive Assistance to Vulnerable Populations to Enhance Resiliency (RECOVER) program started on October 1, 2016 with an original planned duration of 12 months. On September 6, 2017, Mercy Corps received a three-month no-cost extension (NCE) to extend the program to December 30, 2017 as well as an additional three- month NCE to extend the program to March 30, 2017. Under the approved modification, Mercy Corps aimed to reach an estimated 91,456 unique IDP and host community households (548,736 individuals)1 in Aleppo and Idleb Governorates over the life of the program. Mercy Corps is implementing a multi-sector approach to increase efficiency of aid delivery and support local communities. This approach enhances the capacity of communities to cope with the stress of war and recover from loss of basic services and income.

Goal: To meet immediate humanitarian needs and enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable Syrian communities.

Objective 1: Improve access to essential hygiene and non-food item (NFI) materials for 120,006 IDP and host community households2 (123,006 individuals) affected by the conflict in Syria through distribution of in-kind commodities and vouchers in northern Syria.

Objective 2: Increase access to water and sanitation facilities and improve hygiene awareness and environmental conditions for conflict-affected households (IDPs and hosts) in northern Syria, targeting an estimated 72,630 households (435,783 individuals)

Objective 3: Promote psychosocial well-being for conflict affected children and youth through regular facilitation of recreational activities and trainings, targeting 6,260 IDP individuals in Aleppo and Idleb governorates

Objective 4: Improve access to secure and habitable shelter for recently displaced households in northern Syria, targeting 1,417 IDP households (8,489 IDP individuals) in Aleppo and Idleb governorates

Objective 5: Enhancing food security and restoring productive agricultural livelihoods for vulnerable households in northern Syria, targeting 6,000 IDP and host community households (36,000 IDP individuals) in Aleppo and Idleb governorates

During this reporting period, key activities include the provision of critical WASH activities.

1 Based on a family size of six. 2 Number of unique beneficiary households based on the number of beneficiaries receiving regular hygiene kits (12,250 HHs over 6 distribution rounds) in addition to beneficiaries receiving the one-off a 2-in-1 hygiene kits (6,300 HHs).

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II. Context Security Update:

The fluid humanitarian situation in North Syria creates a complex environment for the implementation of aid delivery activities from the perspective of both displacement and security.

Please see key security and contextual updates below:

On February 19, Nourredine Al-Zinki and Ahrar Al-Sham merged to form a new group, Jabhat Tahrir Sourya (The Syria Liberation Front). This was followed by an almost immediate Hay’at Tahrir Al- Sham announcement calling for a major offensive against Jabhat Tahrir Sourya in western Aleppo. In response, Jabhat Tahrir Sourya forces rapidly established military control over several communities across Idleb and western Aleppo. Since conflict between the two groups began, over fourteen armed opposition groups have defected from Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, with many joining the newly established Jabhat Tahrir Sourya. In addition, civilians in numerous communities have reportedly protested against against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham over this time, in some cases forcing the group’s combatants from their military positions. Effectively, since this time there has been high intensity open conflict between Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and Jabhat Tahrir Sourya throughout almost all of Idleb and western Aleppo. Additionally, this has led to the fragmentation of the ‘Salvation Government’ in Idleb, as Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham has lost considerable amounts of territory.

For the local partner livelihood projects, IHR reported heavy displacement activities due to the security situation in northern Hama and southern Idleb. Most IDPs moved towards Sanjar district as well as Ma’arrat An -Nu’man and Dana sub-districts. Starting in February 2018, the conflict intensity between the GoS and armed opposition groups decreased significantly and resulted in the decrease in displacements. During the second half of February, clashes restarted between the newly established alliance “Syrian Liberation Front” and HTS, resulting in frequent blockage of the main roads and disruption of the local commerce. IHR project was affected by these changes as the displacements lead to difficulties in fodder voucher redemption. In addition, IHR has stopped the project implementation for the last week of February due to the security situation. Activities were also affected by the security situation as the GoS continued its bombardments on southern and central Idleb as well as southern Aleppo and northern Hama. As a result, the rehabilitation and setting up of the training center along with the advertising for the project, were both delayed until March. Also the road blockage affected the movement of the project staff, beneficiaries registration, and the local markets. The Watan project was not affected by the security situation due to the project location in Jabal western areas. The only effect was noticed through the high number of IDPs coming from Maaret An-Nu’man and Saraqeb to the project areas. Markets and Living Conditions: Throughout Mercy Corps’ catchment area (western rural Aleppo and Idleb governorate), markets are functional and vendors are able to increase their capacity to meet demand. Goods continued to move throughout Mercy Corps’ catchment area, although closures at the border, checkpoints between towns, and other obstacles frequently occurred.

In January 2018, the national average cost of a standard food basket (group of essential food commodities) was SYP 25,740 in comparison to SYP 36,025 in January 2017, highlighting generally improved food availability and improved food sourcing routes across Syria3. Additionally, there have been noticeable improvements in 2018 in terms of supply of goods across the country, improved supply networks/routes particularly in connecting food production areas with the rest of Syria and a better harvest in 2018 compared to 2017. The subsequent decrease in the cost of food can be observed across all Syria governorates, except in besieged areas. The graphic below illustrates these trends, in particular in Mercy Corps’ catchment areas:

3 WFP, market price watch bulletin, from January 2017 to January 2018. Reports for the month of March 2018 were not yet published at the time of writing.

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However, despite this overall positive trend there are a number of notable localized and temporary shocks affecting Mercy Corps’ targeted areas. Specifically, as a consequence of the Turkish-led ‘’, the Deir Ballut-Atma crossing point4 remained closed from January 20, 2018 to March 23, 2018. The closure of this trade road had a direct impact on the cost of fuel and resulted in the establishment of a monopoly by Al-Watad company of the supply of all Turkish- filtered fuel to northwestern Syria. From mid-January to the beginning of March, the cost of diesel increased by 13%. Further to this, on March 9, Al-Watad company halted the import of fuel from for a period of 48 hours to allow time for service expansion projects. In response, the cost of diesel rose by 56%5 within one week.

In December 2017, Government of Syria (GoS) forces intensified their current military offensive in southern Aleppo and northern Hama. The speed and geographical scope of the offensive produced mass displacement, totaling 212,140 people between 15th of December and 15th of January6. In February, a total of 93,017 IDP movements (some may be secondary displacements) were tracked as well as 1,687,227 spontaneous returns7. Finally, March witnessed a major movement of communities from Eastern Ghouta, further increasing the number of IDPs in north- west Syria. The combination of the existing IDP population, the highly vulnerable host community and the sustained and ever- increasing flow of new arrivals, has meant that the resources of humanitarian organizations are becoming increasingly overstretched, with shelter capacity flagged as the most urgent gap.

I. Performance Summary

Revised LO January –March 2018 Total progress Total % progress target P Target Total Number of Total Number of vs. actuals Total Number of Sector IDP IDP IDP Individual IDP Individual Individuals Individuals individual individual individuals s individuals s s s

NFI 123,006 86,104 0 0 124,771 123,346 101% 143%

WASH 435,783 291,020 90,200 59,291 443,377 325,114 102% 112% Protection 6,260 6,260 0 0 5,718 5,718 97% 97% Shelter 8,502 8,502 0 0 71 71 5% 5% Agriculture 36,000 10,800 0 0 48,364 3,251 134% 30% TOTAL 609,551 402,686 90,200 59,291 622,301 457,500 103% 116%

Logistics Support and Relief Commodities/NFIs

4 governorate border crossing 5 Mercy Corps Fuel price Follow up 6 CCCM Displacements to Idleb areas as of January 15, 2018 7 CCCM, IDP Situation Monitoring Initiative (ISMI), February 2018

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Disaggregation Baseline Revised January - Total % Performance Indicator Value LOP March progress progress Target 2018 v targets Outcome 1: Improve access to essential hygiene and NFI items for IDP and host community households in northern Syria Indicator 1.1: Total number of people receiving NFIs, by sex and Overall Total 0 123,006 0 124,771 101% type8 Indicator 1.2: Percentage of households that are satisfied with the quantity and quality of the NFI Total 0 80% 0 88% 110% items received Output 1.1: 41,800 in-kind kits (new arrival, hygiene, 2-in-1, winter clothing, newborn and elderly) to be provided to IDPs and host/returnees Indicator 1.1.1: Total number and Total number 0 36,190 0 16,500 46% per item USD cost of NFIs (1) Total Hygiene kits – distributed, by type9 number 3,000 (2) Total Other NFIs* - 3,000 number (3) Total Tarpaulins – 3,000

number Output 1.2: 38,500 vouchers (new arrival, hygiene, and winter clothing) to be provided to IDPs and host/returnees Indicator 1.2.1: Total number and Total number per item USD value of 0 3,042 cash/vouchers distributed for NFIs, by type10 0 3,042 100% *Includes New Arrival and Winter Clothing Kits

As previously reported, all NFI activities were completed. Nothing to report for this reporting period.

WASH Performance Indicator Disaggregation Baseline Revised January Total % Value LOP - March progress progress Target 2018 v targets Outcome 2: Increase access to water and sanitation facilities and improve hygiene awareness for conflict affected households in northern Syria Indicator 2.1: Total number of people directly benefiting from Total 0 435,783 149,491 443,37 WASH program activities 7 102% Indicator 2.2: Percentage change in 4% hygiene knowledge, attitude and 25% Total percentage 28% 0 progre 16% practices for a healthier lifestyles change ss among targeted households Indicator 2.3: Number of sites with

no evidence of defecation in public Total number 0 0 38 76% areas11 50 Indicator 2.4: Number of communal solid waste disposal sites created and Total number 0 11 0 5 45% operational12 Output 2.1: Hygiene promotion sessions and activities to be provided to IDPs and host communities.

8 Refer to OFDA, Objective 1, sub-sector "Non-Food Items", Indicator 3 9 Refer to OFDA, Objective 1, sub-sector "Non-Food Items", Indicator 1 10 Refer to OFDA, Objective 1, sub-sector "Non-Food Items", Indicator 2 11 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Hygiene Promotion", Indicator 2 12 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Environmental Health", Indicator 2

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Indicator 2.1.1: Number of people receiving direct hygiene promotion (excluding mass media campaigns Total number 0 17,000 0 and without double-counting)13 40,449 238% Indicator 2.1.2: Number of awareness sessions and activities conducted for IDPs and host Total number 0 8,130 0 communities 13,592 167% Indicator 2.1.3: Number of trainings and mentoring provided to community volunteers on becoming Total number 0 15 0 hygiene promotion agents in their communities 12 80% Output 2.2: Availability of adequate, reliable and safe water to IDPs and host communities. Indicator 2.2.1: Number of people 235,05 directly benefiting from the water Overall total number 0 229,262 0 103% supply infrastructure program14 7 Indicator 2.2.2: Number of liters of water used per person per day for drinking, cooking, hygiene and Total number 24.3 24 24 laundry15 26.7 111% Indicator 2.2.3: Number of the water network (rehabilitation/installation) Total number 0 13 0 16 123% projects completed

Indicator 2.2.4: Number of people 89,627 benefiting from water trucking Total number 0 85,000 55,990 105% Output 2.3: Operational sanitation and solid waste management infrastructures at household level. Indicator 2.3.1: Number of people directly benefiting from the sanitation Overall total number 0 167,795 0 54,522 32% infrastructure program16 Indicator 2.3.2: Average number of 20 per people per functioning toilet function Total number 0 0 20 100% ing toilet Indicator 2.3.3: Number of people 124,93 benefiting from solid waste Overall total number 0 38,726 0 323% management and drainage activities17 9 Indicator 2.3.4: Number of sanitation and solid waste Total number 0 6 0 6 100% management infrastructure projects completed

Under the OFDA-funded RECOVER program, Mercy Corps’ WASH interventions in Idleb and Aleppo support host communities as well as IDPs living in collective centers and informal settlements. Additionally, Mercy Corps provides emergency water trucking of safe drinking water. Finally, Mercy Corps is supporting 11 water stations with deliveries of fuel and oil in order to restart piped water deliveries to host communities.

Water deliveries: A per-month breakdown of water deliveries during the reporting period is noted below:

13 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Hygiene Promotion", Indicator 1 14 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Water supply Infrastructure", Indicator 1 15 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Water supply Infrastructure", Indicator 2 16 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Sanitation Infrastructure", Indicator 1 17 Refer to OFDA, Objective 2, sub-sector "Environmental Health", Indicator 1

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January District Sub-District Location #Families #Individuals Water Delivered/ Barrel

Jebel Saman Daret Azza Daret Azza rural 2,822 21,228 58,984

Tall Ed- Tall Ed-daman 61 459 380 daman rural

Zarbah Zarbah rural 298 2,040 1,670

Atareb Atareb rural 4,495 30,740 86,694

Maarat An Maara camps 248 3,250 11,376 Numan

Total 7,924 57,717 159,104

February District Sub-District Location #Families #Individuals Water Delivered/ Barrel

Jebel Saman Daret Azza Daret Azza rural 2,826 21,433 22376

Atareb Atareb rural 4,519 314030 27376

Maarat An Maara camps 527 3,108 2698 Numan

Total 7,872 55944 52450

Infrastructure: Key infrastructure activities during the reporting period are noted below: ● Installation of new equipment at Rasm Alsariej well was completed in January 2018. However, due to a deterioration in the security situation, households will need to connect themselves to the water pipeline without Mercy Corps’ supervision as operations were suspended permanently in that area with staff relocated or let go. ● In February, Mercy Corps selected two contractors for the construction and delivery of water tanks. However, work was not able to start due to the inaccessibility of the markets due to heightened insecurity.

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During March, Mercy Corps delivered 2,000-liter water tanks to the following locations:

Longitude Latitude Sub- district Camp Number of Tanks

Atareb Alkamouna Camp 9 36.748798 36.161957

Atareb Reef Almuhandiseen 20 36.879398 36.126552

Atareb Raah Camp 30 36.730664 36.125047

Atareb Souq Ahlal Camp 10 36.730936 36.125959

Atareb Batbu Camp 18 36.736602 36.127053

Atareb KafarKarmeen1 35 Camp 36.771272 36.163636

Atareb KafarKarmeen2 42 Camp 36.782592 36.17345

Atareb Kafar Hood Camp 15 36.734734 36.13727

Atareb Tal Khazna Camp 9 36.730845 36.135062

Atareb Kafargoum Camp 7 36.945177 36.110001

Atareb KafarKarmeen 3 36.782151 36.157165 Camp

Atareb Malaab Camp 7 36.845965 36.126565

Atareb Taoama road Camp 4 36.799785 36.186387

Atareb Alghraf Camp 10 36.72174 36.11492

Atareb Alfurn Camp 10 36.71435 36.12058

Atareb Alsheikh Ali Camp 20 36.7352 36.17042

Atareb Mutafareqat Batabu 11 Camp 36.92422 36.09747

Atareb Marra Atareb 21 collection 36.823931 36.162537

Al Maraa Wafaa 5 36.391037 35.352444

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Al Maraa Wadi Saq'aa 5 36.394052 35.3599

Al Maraa Bsida 11 36.391037 35.352444

Al Maraa Maar Hatat 15 36.392034 35.344036

Al Maraa Shleiwet 7 36.371279 35.322732

Daret Azza Zarzita camps 5 36°48'0.99" 36°17'28.34"

Daret Azza 6 36°59'50.52" 36°12'0.48" Bishkateen camps

Daret Azza 5 36°59'0.58" 36°12'50.00" Talas Association

● During March 2018, Mercy Corps delivered 1,000 liter water tanks to the following locations:

Sub district Longitude Latitude Camp Number of Tanks

Kasr Alheer Daret Azza 36°58'19.07" 36°11'25.26" Association 50

Almukawelon Daret Azza 36°58'19.07" 36°11'25.26" Association 52

Gardeenya Daret Azza 36°58'29.25" 36°11'36.08" Association 45

Almakhabez Daret Azza 36°58'29.25" 36°11'36.08" Association 30

Daret Azza 36°59'13.99" 36°11'8.27" Kareem association 25

Albashayer Daret Azza 36°58'46.36" 36°11'26.88" association 12

Al Etihad Alarabee Daret Azza 36°57'27.07" 36°11'31.06" Association 45

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Protection Total Disaggregation of unique Revise January - % Performance Baselin progress beneficiaries (youth and d LOP March progress v Indicator e Value (cumulative 18 Target 2018 targets adolescents) ) Outcome 3: Promote psychosocial well-being for conflict-affected children and youth through regular facilitation of recreational activities and trainings Indicator 3.1: Male Femal Number of male Male Femal (15- e (15- and female youth (5-14 e (5-14 18 18 reached through years) years) years 0 5,900 0 5,718 97% years) program ) 19 activities 2,333 2,415 376 513

Indicator 3.2: Male Female Percentage of parents reporting 25% 24% 0 35% 140% improved well- change N/A N/A being among their children20 Indicator 3.3: Percentage of Male Female targeted children reporting an 10% improvement in 32% 0 17% 170% change their sense of N/A N/A safety and well- being at the close of the program21 Output 3.1: Availability of safe, accessible, staffed and participant-driven safe space for (1) children and adolescents, (2) youth, and (3) women and girls Indicator 3.1.1: CFS YEP WGC Number of new and existing functional safe 0 26 0 26 100% spaces where 21 4 1 protection activities are implemented. Indicator 3.1.2: Number of Male Female recruited and trained 0 122 0 127 104% community volunteers and 62 65 facilitators to run the activities Output 3.2: Availability of and access to PSS, recreational activities, life skills program, informal and vocational education activities for (1) children and adolescents, (2) youth, (3) women and girls, and (4) parents/caregivers Indicator 3.2.1: Number of people Male Female received life skills trainings, 0 1,774 0 1,556 88% informal and vocational 443 1,113 educational activities

18 This is not exhaustive of total protection beneficiaries, as some adults (18+) are also reached by these activities. Further, the disaggregation listed here is reflective of the cumulative progress. 19 Refer to OFDA, Objective 3, sub-sector "PSS", Indicator 3 20 Refer to OFDA, Objective 3, sub-sector "PSS", Indicator 2 21 Refer to OFDA, Objective 3, sub-sector "Child Protection", Indicator 2

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Indicator 3.2.2: Children Number of Youth and Women children and 15-18 adolescent and girls adolescents, years women and girls, s 5-14 old and youth 0 6,260 0 6,020 96% participating in the Psychosocial Support (PSS) 4,404 889 360 activities, per beneficiary type Indicator 3.2.3: Number of Male Female parents/caregivers participating in 0 290 0 264 91% the Psychosocial Support (PSS) 46 218 sessions Output 3.3: Provision of trainings on child protection and GBV prevention & response to support community-based protection mechanisms Indicator 3.3.1: Number of people Male Female trained in 0 170 0 29 17% psychosocial 7 6 support, by sex22 Indicator 3.3.2: Number of people Male Female trained in child protection (refer to OFDA, 0 85 0 29 34% Objective 3, sub- sector "Child 7 6 Protection", Indicator 1) Indicator 3.3.3: Number of people Male Female trained in GBV 0 0 0 0 0% prevention and 0 0 response

As previously reported, all Protection activities were completed under this award. There is nothing additional to report for this reporting period.

Shelter Performance Indicator Disaggregation Baselin Total % Revise January- e Value progress progres d LOP March s v Target 2018 targets Outcome 4: Improve access to secure and habitable shelter for recently displaced households in northern Syria Indicator 4.1: Male Femal Male Female Number of (tents e (collectiv (collectiv households in the ) (tents) e centers) e centers) program area 0 1,417 0 71 5% receiving - - - - emergency/transitiona l shelter Indicator 4.2: Tents Collective Centers Percentage of HHs reporting improved 125 0 80% 0 100% % shelter living - - conditions as a result of support.

22 Refer to OFDA, Objective 3, sub-sector "PSS", Indicator 1

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Indicator 4.3: Percentage of total Tents Collective Centers affected population in the program area 0 1.7% 0 0.09% 5% receiving - - emergency/transitiona l shelter assistance23 Indicator 4.4: Total $25,00 Total USD 0 0 17,915 72% USD amount and 0 percentage of approved project budget for emergency/transitiona l shelter spent on Total % 7.5% 0 100% 1,333% goods and services produced in the affected host country economy24 Output 4.1: 1,400 Installed emergency / transitional shelter. Indicator 4.1.1: Male Female Number of households in the program area 0 1,400 0 0 0% receiving - - emergency/transitiona l shelter25 Indicator 4.1.2: Number of Male Female households in the program area receiving 0 1,400 0 0 0% emergency/transitiona l shelter pursuant to - - Sphere Project standards and FOG guidelines26 Output 4.2: Rehabilitation of public buildings used as informal collective shelters by IDPs. Indicator 4.2.1: Number of public buildings rehabilitated Total number 0 2 0 2 100% to improve shelter conditions of IDPs

As previously reported, all Shelter activities were completed. Nothing to report for this reporting period.

Agriculture Performance Indicator Disaggregation Baselin LOP January- Total % e Value Target March progres progress 2018 s v targets Outcome 5: Enhancing food security and restoring productive agricultural livelihoods for vulnerable households in northern Syria Indicator 5.1: Projected increase in Total 2.8 0 12% 48% number of months of food self- percentage months 25% sufficiency due to distributed seed change systems/ agricultural input for beneficiary households27

23 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Emergency/Transitional Shelter", Indicator 3 24 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Emergency/Transitional Shelter", Indicator 4 25 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Emergency/Transitional Shelter", Indicator 1 26 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Emergency/Transitional Shelter", Indicator 2 27 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Improving Agriculture Production/Food Security", Indicator 1

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Indicator 5.2: Number of people Total number 0 benefiting from seed systems / 36,000 0 48,364 134% agricultural input activities28 Indicator 5.3: Number of people Total number 0 trained in pest and disease 1,000 0 1,822 182% prevention / control practices29 Indicator 5.4: Number of people Total 0 trained on seed harvesting and 1,000 0 167 17% saving (specific vegetables only) Output 5.1: Increase food availability and quality in the targeted area through subsidizing farmers with high quality agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizer). Indicator 5.1.1: Number of farmers Total number 0 received high quality agricultural 5,000 0 5,85530 117% inputs Indicator 5.1.2: % of the farmers Total 0 reporting increased availability and percentage 60% quality of food as a result of agriculture inputs 0 40% 67% Output 5.2: Increase availability of food for non-farmer households through provision of winter and summer kitchen garden kits. Indicator 5.2.1: Number of non- Total number 0 6,00031 farmer HHs received kitchen garden ind. 0 1,000 100% kits (1,000 HH) Indicator 5.2.2: % of non-farmer Total 0 HHs reporting increased availability percentage 50% 0 8% 16% of food as a result of provision of kitchen garden kits

All livelihoods activities and end-line surveys were completed by July 15, 2017.

II. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

Post-Distribution Monitoring:

During the reporting period, the Mercy Corps Monitoring and Evaluation team conducted 213 Post- Distribution Monitoring (PDM) interviews (14% sample size) with beneficiaries who received NFI kits (new arrival kits and comprehensive hygiene kits) in , Zarbah and Atareb sub- districts. The Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) tool aimed to capture the following in-depth information on the distribution process:

a) Preferences for the type of assistance b) Beneficiaries’ satisfaction c) Usage of items received d) Identifying beneficiaries’ other important needs e) Targeting, transparency, and accountability

The PDM report provides findings and recommendations that are based upon the interviewed beneficiaries’ responses. The main findings were as follows:

● Of the total number of interviewees, 40% of the respondents were female and 60% were male. ● 69% of the respondents were the head of their households. ● All of the beneficiaries were satisfied with Mercy Corps’ assistance and selection process.

28 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Improving Agriculture Production/Food Security", Indicator 2 29 Refer to OFDA, Objective 4, sub-sector "Improving Agriculture Production/Food Security", Indicator 3 30 Mercy Corps’ beneficiaries had smaller land (property) than anticipated, which allowed Mercy Corps to reach more beneficiaries with the same inputs. 31 One thousand households received kitchen garden kits; 6,000 est. individuals based upon a household size of six.

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● 68.5% of the beneficiaries reported satisfaction with the quality of the distributed items. ● 83.5% of the beneficiaries reported satisfaction with the quantity of the distributed items. ● 48.36% of the respondents were completely aware of the beneficiary selection criteria, 48.36% were somewhat aware, and 3.29% were not aware at all. ● Only 56% of the respondents reported awareness of Mercy Corps’ feedback mechanisms.

Based on relatively low percentage of respondents who reported awareness, the CARM officers and MEL staff decided to do additional trainings with communities on the feedback mechanisms.

For further details on the PDM Report, please refer to Annex 1.

III. Challenges Security: During the reporting period, Mercy Corps’ WASH activities experienced some delays in program implementation due to a deterioration in the security situation. Water deliveries and collection of bids from contractors were inhibited by the insecurity. Specifically, contractors were unable to reach Mercy Corps’ offices to bid on tenders due to heightened conflict and risk of direct fire. Additionally, contractors working on water tanks were unable to collect the necessary material, delaying implementation.

Scaling down of programming: A key challenge for WASH has been the scaling back of services without another partner identified to take over services. Mercy Corps has fed into cluster tools to allow for these gaps to be flagged for potential new partners. The stopping of water trucking in February will have a particularly severe impact. Mercy Corps anticipated being able to cover until mid-February, but in Atareb we had to stop in the first days of February 2018, as the number of new IDPs that arrived in Atareb had exhausted the contract earlier than expected.

Effective coordination: During the reporting period, UNICEF started delivering water and was reported to be planning water tank delivery. Mercy Corps shared our plans on the 20th February 2018 with UNICEF and the cluster. Mercy Corps worked hard to coordinate with UNICEF in order to avoid duplication of activities as there have been a number of cases of duplication of efforts this reporting period. For example, field teams found full water tanks when arriving to make a scheduled water delivery. We identified additional beneficiaries in other areas not covered by other organizations, and started with water deliveries in eight informal camps in Atareb.

Fuel price increases: The Turkish operations in Afrin during the reporting period led to a considerable increase in fuel prices, to as much as $1.2 per liter in some cases, compared to closer to $0.7 per liter beforehand. This had repercussions on prices of goods in markets, and led to one contractor for Mercy Corps having to withdraw his quote for water tanks. Mercy Corps therefore had to put all water tanks under one contractor. We therefore increased the amount of water tanks with another contractor to fulfill all the needs for the communities we have committed to deliver.

IDP movements: Following the fighting in Afrin and the Damascus area, the IDPs from affected areas headed to Western Aleppo and Idleb to seek safety. The camps that Mercy Corps was serving experienced substantial increases in numbers, with people setting up basic shelters on the periphery of existing camps that we served. With restricted resources, Mercy Corps had to prioritize assistance. As several other organizations focused on the periphery and newly created camps, Mercy Corps was able to focus on the IDPs that were accommodated within the camps we are already covering.

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IV. Annexes ● Annex 1 - Post-distribution Monitoring Report

● Annex 2 - Success Story

● Annex 3 - WASH Technical Data

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