Rural Governorate, April 2018 Humanitarian Situation Overview in (HSOS)

OVERALL FINDINGS1 Coverage Rankus Rural Damascus is a largely agricultural governorate that surrounds Damascus city. On February 18th 2018, a new ground and air offensive was launched on Eastern , further intensifying the already Az- Al severe humanitarian challenges faced by residents. This offensive triggered the largest displacement of Dimas Madaya Zabdani Sidnaya Qutayfah civilians out of the besieged suburbs of Eastern Ghouta since 2013. Many of these civilians relocated At Tall to collective shelters throughout other parts of Rural Damascus and others to , and Idleb Ein governorates. For more information on displacement please see the April 1-14, IDP Situation Monitoring Elfijeh Initiative (ISMI) Rapid Assessment of Evacuations from Eastern Ghouta to North-West Syria. LEBANON Duma Dhameer In 10 of the assessed communities, mainly in sub-district, Key Informants (KIs) estimated that Qudsiya only 1-25% of the pre-conflict population remained. Furthermore, KIs in 4 of the assessed communities DAMASCUS Arbin Kafr Batna reported that members of the pre-conflict population had left in April, primarily due to an escalation of Nashabiyeh Markaz conflict. An estimated 578,150 IDPs were reportedly residing in assessed communities, with the majority Hajar residing in Qudsiya (approximately 437,500). Pre-conflict populations and IDPs in the majority ofthe Maliha AswadBabella Haran assessed communities reportedly lived in independent apartments or houses. However, for both IDPs and pre-conflict populations in Duma, private spaces not meant for shelter were the most commonly reported Al'awameed shelter types. Additionally, unlike March, where 8 of the assessed communities reported a lack of fuel, all of the assessed communities reported having access to a sufficient amount of fuel in April. This could be Bait attributed to fuel prices dropping significantly from March to April. For example, the price of diesel was Jan Kisweh Ghizlaniyyeh 2,018 SYP in March, and in April, the price dropped to 348 SYP. KIs reported healthcare and protection as two of the top priority needs in the assessed communities Sa'sa' throughout Rural Damascus. This is significant as15 of the assessed communities reported facing barriers to accessing healthcare, most commonly due to security concerns when travelling to facilities. The majority of the communities with security concerns were located to the east/northeast of Damascus city, indicating DAR'A that the security situation in these neighbourhoods was not stable in April. In terms of water, 7 communities Communities assessed (20 of 243) AS-SWEIDA reported that the water tasted and/or smelled bad. Additionally, Qudsiya and Duma reported having an Sub-districts with communities assessed (9 of 36) insufficient amount of water to cover household needs. Furthermore, 16 of the assessed communities reported experiencing difficulties in accessing food with the high cost of some items and a lack of resources to purchase available foods being the most commonly reported challenges. However, food prices dropped Top 3 reported priority needs Demographics* significantly since March, when core food items (i.e. bread, rice, lentils, sugar, cooking oil) were nearly quadruple the Syrian average prices. While this price drop seemed to improve the situation throughout the 1. Healthcare people in need assessed communities (i.e. in March four communities reported residents went days without eating and 3,261,246 this was not reported in April), the majority of communities still reported using coping strategies to deal with 2. Food security a lack of income. In 15 of the assessed communities, KIs reported residents borowing money from family 1,686,064 1,575,182 and friends as a coping stratagy. Additionally, KIs in Kisweh and Sabbura communities reported that some 3. Protection * 2 Figures based on HNO 2018 population data for the children were being sent to work or beg as a coping strategy . entire governorate. KEY EVENTS Offensive on Eastern Ghouta Reported increase in malnutrition Medical supplies reportedly Convoy buses carrying displaced Increased hostilities in Rural Largest displacement of civilians escalates across more than half and deaths among children removed from convoy delivering aid people en route from Rural Damascus as a new air and out of the besieged suburbs east a dozen towns and cities in the and adults in heavily besieged to Duma, another convoy left before Damascus to northern Syria land offensive is launched4. of Damascus since 20136. area3. Eastern Ghouta. distributing all aid due to shelling5. reportedly attacked7.

October - December 2017 November - December 2017 18 Februray 2018 5 March 2018 Mid-March 2018 April 2018 Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

Governorate areas of influence:

Area of influence Sourced from Live UA Map, 30 April 2018

Opposition Groups

Opposition - Free (Olive Branch/Euphrates Shield) LEBANON

Democratic Federation of Northern Syria - Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF-coalition) Democratic Federation of Northern Syria - Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

ISIL-affiliated groups Damascus

Assessed Community UNDOF Area of Operation

Golan Heights

2 Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

DISPLACEMENT Estimated percent of pre-conflict population (PCP) displaced from community:

Estimated number of IDP arrivals 0 in assessed communities in April.

Estimated number of spontaneous 0 returns in assessed communities in April2.

Communities with the largest estimated number of IDP arrivals: No IDP arrivals reported

DAMASCUS Top 3 sub-districts of origin of most IDPs arrivals: No information

16 communities reported no PCP departures. Top 3 reasons for PCP displacement in the remaining 4 assessed communities3,4:

Estimated % of pre-conflict population displaced Escalation of conflict 100% from community Sub-district with one or more assessed communities reporting spontaneous returns this month Loss of assets 50% 0-24% 25-49% 75-100% 50-74% Sub-district with no assessed communities reporting spontaneous returns this month Opening of borders 25%

3 Multiple choices allowed. 3 4 By percent of communities reporting. Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

SHELTER AND NFI Fuel sufficiency:

Primary source of electricity 20 communities reported no lack of fuel. reported:4

60% Network ++++ 35% Generator 5% Solar power

60+35+5A DAMASCUS

Governorate average reported rent price in Syrian Pounds (SYP) across 11,906 SYP assessed communities.5 6,108 SYP Syrian average reported rent price in SYP across assessed communities.5

Most commonly reported shelter type for PCP (in red) and IDP (in grey) households4: 90+

Independent apartment/ house 88 90% Insufficient fuel reported Sub-district with assessed communities 88% +5+ Sufficient fuel reported ++ ++ Sub-district with no assessed communities

Collective public space 6 5% Governorate capital 6% +5+

Private space not for shelter 6 5% Reported fuel prices (in SYP)5: ++

++ 6% Governorate average Governorate average Syrian average price Fuel type: price in April: price in March: in April: Coal (1 kilogram) 456 408 280

Diesel (1 litre) 349 2,018 227 Butane (1 canister) 3,238 3,967 5,940 Firewood (1 tonne) 55,000 160,417 53,131

3 Multiple choices allowed. 4 4 By percent of communities reporting. 5 1 USD = 434 SYP (UN operational rates of exchange as of 1 April 2018) Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

HEALTH Presence of health facilities in assessed communities:

3 Communities reported that no assessed medical items were available in their community. Communities reported that the majority of women did not have access to formal health facilities 0 to give birth.

5 communities reported that residents experienced no barriers to accessing healthcare services. The barriers in the remaining 15 assessed communities were3,4: 80+53+33+20+13+13+7+0 Security concerns when traveling to facilities 80% DAMASCUS Disability/injuries/illness preventing travel 53% Old age 33% Healthcare services too expensive 20% Security concerns to enter/remain in facilities 13% No health facilities available in the area 13% High cost of transportation to facilities 7% No health facilities reportedly available in area Sub-district with assessed communities Health facilities reportedly available in area Governorate capital Sub-district with no assessed communities

14 communities reported that residents were not using coping strategies to deal Top 3 most needed healthcare Top 3 most common health with a lack of medical supplies. The coping strategies used in the remaining 6 services reported3,4: problems reported3,4: 3,4

communities were : 100+17+ Rehabilitation services 55% Acute respiratory infections 55% Recycling medical items 100% Using non-medical items for treatment 17% Antenatal care 45% Psychological trauma 40% Psychosocial support 40% Chronic diseases 30%

3 Multiple choices allowed. 5 4 By percent of communities reporting. Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

WASH Water sufficiency for household needs:

7 Communities reported that water from their primary source tasted and/or smelled bad. 0 Communities reported that drinking water from their primary source made people sick.

12 communities reported that residents had no problems with latrines. The most 3,4

prevalent problems with latrines in the remaining100+75++++++ 8 assessed communities were : Blocked connections to sewage 100%

Inability to empty septic tanks 75% DAMASCUS

Water in one or more assessed communities in sub-district Insufficient water reported reportedly tastes/smells bad or makes people sick Sufficient water reported Governorate capital Water is reportedly fine to drink in all assessed 18 communities reported that they had sufficient amounts of water to meet communities in sub-district household needs. The most common coping strategies to deal with a lack of water 4 3,4 Primary drinking water source reported : Top 3 reported methods of

in the remaining 2 assessed communities were100+100+50+50+0 : garbage disposal3,4: Modify hygiene practices 100% 40% Network Reduce drinking water consumption 100% 35% Closed well Public free collection 50% Drink water usually used for other purposes than drinking 50% 25% Water trucking Buried or burned 25% Spend money usually spent on other things to buy water 50% 40+35+25A Disposed at designated site 20%

3 Multiple choices allowed. 6 4 By percent of communities reporting. Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

FOOD SECURITY Food sufficiency:

0 Communities reported not having received a food distribution in the last 12 months. 0 Communities reported that residents were unable to purchase food at shops and markets.

4 communities reported that residents experienced no challenges in accessing food. The most common difficulties experienced in the remaining 16 assessed communities were3,4: 94+31+6++++ Lack of resources to buy food 94% DAMASCUS Some items too expensive 31% Some items unavailable 6%

Insufficient food reported Governorate capital Somewhat sufficient food reported Sub-district with assessed communities Sufficient food reported Sub-district with no assessed communities Core food item prices reported (in SYP)5:

Governorate average Governorate average Syrian average Food item: price in April: price in March: price in April: Most common ways of obtaining food reported3,4: 100+80+45++ Bread public bakery (1 loaf) 50 60 115 Purchased 100% Rice (1 kilogram) 530 1,688 430 Food distributions 80% Lentils (1 kilogram) 525 1,648 330 Own production 45% Sugar (1 kilogram) 387 1,886 308

Cooking oil (1 litre) 830 1,876 546

3 Multiple choices allowed. 7 4 By percent of communities reporting. 5 1 USD = 434 SYP (UN operational rates of exchange as of 1 April 2018) Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

LIVELIHOODS EDUCATION Barriers to accessing education services: Less than 50,000 SYP Most commonly reported household income range5. 29,696 SYP Governorate average food basket price5,6. Communities reported that residents used exteme food- 0 based coping strategies to deal with insufficient income7.

4 communities reported that residents had enough income to cover household DAMASCUS needs. The most commonly reported coping strategies to deal with a lack of income in the remaining 16 assessed communities were3,4: 94+13+13+13+0 Borrow money from family/ friends 94% Take loans/ buy on credit 13% Send children to work or beg 13% Skip meals 13% Barriers to accessing education reported Schools in one or more assessed communities No barriers to accessing education in sub-district reportedly destroyed reported No schools in assessed communities in Governorate capital sub-district reportedly destroyed

3,4 Most commonly reported main sources of income : 18 communities reported that most children were able to access education. 85+60+50+45+10 The most commonly reported barriers to education in the remaining 2 Business or trade 85% 3,4

assessed communities were :50+50+++ Unstable/ daily employment 60% Destruction of facilities 50% Stable/ salaried employment 50% Routes to services unsafe 50% Farm ownership 45% Savings 10%

3 Multiple choices allowed. 6 Calculation of the average price of a food basket is based on the World Food Programme’s standard basket of dry goods. The food basket includes 37 kg of bread, 19 kg of rice, 19 kg of lentils, 5 kg of sugar, and 7 kg of 8 4 By percent of communities reporting. vegetable oil, and provides 1,930 kcal a day for a family of five for a month. 5 1 USD = 434 SYP (UN operational rates of exchange as of 1 April 2018) 7 Extreme food-based strategies: Eating food waste; eating non-edible plants and spending days without eating. Rural Damascus Governorate, April 2018

METHODOLOGY ENDNOTES

1 All information and figures reported in HSOS factsheets refer to the situation in assessed communities The HSOS project, formerly known as the AoO (Area of Origin) project, is a monthly assessment and cannot be generalised to other non-assessed communities of the governorate. that aims to provide comprehensive, multi-sectoral information about the humanitarian situation 2 3 inside Syria. This factsheet presents information gathered in 20 communities in May 2018, referring Children’ includes all persons below the age of 18. ‘ to the situation in Rural Damascus Governorate in April 2018. It presents key indicators, rather 3Nassar and Clark (15 November 2017). Largest wave of regime airstrikes hits East Ghouta since de- than the entire range of indicators gathered in the HSOS questionnaire. For community-level data escalation. Retrieved from http://syriadirect.org. on assessed sub-districts in Al-Hasakeh, Dar’a, Idleb, Rural Damascus and Quneitra, please refer 4Al Jazeera (27 December 2017). Syria: Evacuation of critically ill from Eastern Ghouta. Retrieved to the monthly sub-district factsheets, available on the REACH Resource Centre. The complete from http://www.aljazeera.com/. HSOS dataset is disseminated monthly via the REACH Syria mailing list. 5 Al Jazeera (25 February 2018). Syrian forces begin new offensive in Eastern Ghouta. Retrieved from Wherever possible, information was collected through an enumerator network. REACH enumerators http://www.aljazeera.com/. are based inside Syria and interview Key Informants (KIs) directly in the community about which they 6 The Washington Post. (5 March 2018). Amid shelling, U.N. convoy begins aid distribution in Syria’s are reporting. Where access and security constraints rendered direct data collection unfeasible, KI Ghouta. Retrieved from http://washingtonpost.com interviews were conducted remotely through participants identified in camps and settlements in 7Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (23 April 2018). Loyalists of the regime attack again convoys neighbouring countries by REACH field teams. Participants contact KIs in their community in Syria of the displaced people from the Rif Dimashq heading towards the Syrian North. Retrieved from http:// to collect information about their community. KIs were asked to report at the community level. www.syriahr.com KIs generally included local council members, Syrian NGO workers, medical professionals, 8Returns are not necessarily voluntary, safe, or sustainable. teachers, shop owners and farmers, among others, and were chosen based on their community- level or sector specific knowledge. In cases where KIs disagreed on a certain piece of information, enumerators triangulated the data with secondary sources or selected the response provided by the KI with the more relevant sector-specific background. For each question asked, confidence About REACH levels were assigned based on the KIs area of expertise and knowledge of the sector-specific REACH is a joint initiative of two international non-governmental organisations - ACTED and situation. The confidence levels associated with each question are presented in the final dataset. IMPACT Initiatives - and the UN Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). The full confidence matrix used to assign confidence levels is available upon request. REACH aims to strengthen evidence-based decision making by aid actors through efficient Findings were triangulated through secondary sources, including news monitoring and humanitarian data collection, management and analysis before, during and after an emergency. By doing so, reports. Where necessary, follow-up was conducted with enumerators and participants. Findings REACH contributes to ensuring that communities affected by emergencies receive the support are indicative rather than representative, and should not be generalised across the governorate. they need. All REACH activities are conducted in support to, and within the framework of, inter- agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, please visit our website: www.reach- initiative.org. You can contact us directly at: [email protected] and follow us on Twitter: @REACH_info.

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