Syria Crisis Bi-Weekly Situation Report No. 05 (as of 22 May 2016)

This report is produced by the OCHA Syria Crisis offices in Syria, Turkey and Jordan. It covers the period from 7-22 May 2016. The next report will be issued in the second week of June. Highlights

 Rising prices of fuel and basic food items impacting upon health and nutritional status of Syrians in several governorates  Children and youth continue to suffer disproportionately on frontlines  Five inter-agency convoys reach over 50,000 people in hard-to-reach and besieged areas of Damascus, Rural Damascus and Homs  Seven cross-border consignments delivered from Turkey with aid for 631,150 people in northern Syria  Millions of people continued to be reached from inside Syria through the regular programme  Heightened fighting displaces thousands in Ar- Raqqa and Ghouta  Resumed airstrikes on Dar’a prompting displacement

13.5 M 13.5 M 6.5 M 4.8 M People in Need Targeted for assistance Internally displaced Refugees in neighbouring countries

Situation Overview

The reporting period was characterised by evolving security and conflict dynamics which have had largely negative implications for the protection of civilian populations and humanitarian access within locations across the country. Despite reaffirmation of a commitment to the country-wide cessation of hostilities agreement in Aleppo, and a brief reduction in fighting witnessed in Aleppo city, civilians continued to be exposed to both indiscriminate attacks and deprivation as parties to the conflict blocked access routes to Aleppo city and between cities and residential areas throughout northern governorates. Consequently, prices for fuel, essential food items and water surged in several locations as supply was threatened and production became non-viable, with implications for both food and water security of affected populations.

Cross-line assistance deliveries were carried out through five inter-agency convoys to besieged and hard to reach areas in Damascus and Rural Damascus. In parallel millions of people in accessible areas continued to receive assistance through the regular programming and cross-border assistance from Turkey and Jordan. Humanitarian access to ISIL-held areas of Deir-ez-Zor and Ar-Raqqa remained circumscribed due to ISIL’s restrictive policy vis-à- vis humanitarian actors as well as insecurity, though alternative modalities for aid delivery have continued to be employed in coordination with local actors. The continued closure of the Nusaybin border crossing and the absence of viable alternatives prevented hundreds of thousands of people in need in Al-Hasakeh from receiving assistance, leading the United Nations to initiate planning for a costly air-bridge as a last resort.

Heightened fighting in Ar-Raqqa, Rural Damascus and Dar’a were reported to have contributed to displacement of thousands of households while also threatening populations’ access to markets, water supply and agricultural lands sustaining local communities.

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Access Developments

Inter-agency cross-line assistance delivery

During the reporting period, five inter-agency convoys were completed, reaching 36,750 beneficiaries with multi- sectoral assistance and 15,000 beneficiaries with medical assistance:

 On 22 May, a UN/Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) inter-agency humanitarian convoy delivered multi-sectoral assistance to 25,000 people in Qudsaya and medical supplies to 15,000 people in Al-Hameh in Rural Damascus. Several health items, including parts of surgical and midwifery kits, were not approved or were removed from the convoy during the loading process.  On 18 May, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy (UN/ICRC/SARC) delivered food, nutrition, health, education, non-food items (NFIs) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) materials to East Harasta in East Ghouta (Rural Damascus), benefitting 10,000 people. Assessments were carried out during the missions to inform the scale and scope of future deliveries. As in previous cross-line assistance deliveries to East Harasta and other opposition-controlled areas, several critical health items, including surgical and burn kits, basic health kits and parts of midwifery kits, were not approved or were removed by GoS security forces during the loading process.  On 8 May, an inter-agency convoy provided multi-sectoral assistance to 3,250 beneficiaries in Al-Qaryatayn, completing the 4 May delivery of food, non-food items (NFIs) and WASH supplies for 1,750 beneficiaries in the hard-to-reach area.  On 6 May, a UN/SARC team delivered health, education, NFI and WASH materials to Bloudan. The delivery completed the planned assistance for 35,000 beneficiaries in the hard-to-reach area which was last reached in early March. No further cross-line deliveries are planned for Bloudan, which will be served through regular programming in the coming period. In parallel, the UN did not manage to deliver to a number of besieged areas (Daraya, Madamiyet ElSham, Al-Wa’er), leading to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation within these areas, which are heavily dependent on the delivery of assistance and smuggling.  Concerning reports about deteriorating nutrition conditions continue to be received from Madamiyet ElSham, which has been cut off from assistance delivery since 2 March. Nutritional screening data of 578 children under five years that visited a health facility in Madamiyet ElSham indicate that 34 of them (5.9%) were diagnosed with severe and moderate acute malnutrition. Scaling up these findings to the demographics of Madamiyet ElSham, and taking into account some aggravating factors, such as inadequate dietary diversity and a lack of medicines inside the city, UNICEF estimates that between 930 to 1,000 children inside Madamiyet ElSham are suffering from malnutrition. As the nutritional status of children is generally an indication of a deteriorating nutritional situation of the entire population, UNICEF estimates 650 pregnant women and lactating mothers to be at risk of malnutrition.  Similar reports of increased food insecurity and growing malnutrition were received from Al-Wa’er, which has not received assistance since 3 March leading to a persistent shortage of basic commodities, such as flour and basic medicines. On a positive note, bread distribution for 15,000 families inside Al-Wa’er started on 14 May, and every morning people queue for several hours in long lines in front of the distribution point. The UN continues to call for full and unhindered access, especially to besieged and hard-to-reach areas, to deliver life-saving assistance to all those in need.

WFP continued airdrops over besieged Deir-ez-Zor From 7 to 22 May, WFP completed 14 airdrops into the besieged parts of Deir-ez-Zor, successfully delivering 250 metric tons of food commodities, including chickpeas, beans, rice, vegetable oil, lentils, bulgur wheat, salt and sugar. Each one of the registered households (an estimated 100,000 people) will receive a ration of 41 kg, but in the early part of the airdrop operation, WFP and SARC have agreed to split the rations into two to provide the most extensive coverage possible. The quantities airdropped during the period amounts to almost 15 kg per household, but are part of the overall ongoing airdrop operation.

Between 13 and 15 May, WFP temporarily suspended planned airdrop rotations due to insecurity on the ground following heavy clashes between ISIL and GoS forces in close proximity to the drop zone. Airdrop deliveries to Deir- ez-Zor resumed on 16 May, though were again suspended from 18-21 May. WFP resumed its airdrop activities on 22 May.

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UNRWA operations in Yalda continued for the third week

UNRWA planned to complete the monthly round of assistance to 12,000 Palestine refugees and other vulnerable civilians from Yarmouk and YBB by 25 May. During the reporting period, mobile medical team deployed and treated hundreds of people in the area. Operations are expected to resume on 12 June for a new round of assistance. Cross-border assistance delivery

During the reporting period, WFP, UNFPA, UNICEF and IOM sent seven consignments from Turkey into northern Syria under UNSC resolution 2165/2258. Six consignments entered through Bab Al-Hawa crossing (245 trucks), and one consignment accessed via the Bab Al-Salam crossing (24 trucks). The Turkish Red Crescent facilitated the entry of an additional 281 NGO trucks via Bab al-Hawa. The shipments included food assistance for 631,150 people and NFI items for 600 very vulnerable individuals in Aleppo, Idleb, and Hama governorates.

With the exception of one WFP shipment prevented from crossing via Bab Al-Salam due to insecurity around Kilis city and a corresponding UNDSS advisory on 13 May 2016, both Bab Al-Hawa and Bab Al-Salam border crossing points were fully functional and accessible for humanitarian and commercial purposes throughout the reporting period. As such, the access trend for cross-border assistance during the reporting period was significantly improved as compared to the weeks prior.

The cost of fuel in many areas of Syria increased dramatically within the reporting period. While one barrel of diesel cost 25,000 SYP ($115) at the outset of the reporting period, the price had climbed to as much 100,000 SYP (US$ 458) in places. There is a strict mechanism to move fuel across the border from Turkey to Syria, which requires negotiations with the Government of Turkey. With the promise of partially mitigating price rises, for the first time since the cross-border modality came into effect, permission was acquired to apply for an exemption to transport fuel through the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing. In overcoming this major bureaucratic hurdle, it is anticipated that NGOs supporting vital facilities inside Syria will be less dependent upon fuel coming from ISIL-controlled areas.

One NGO that will directly benefit from this exemption is supporting a hospital in northern Syria. The hospital is a large facility, and acts as a major referral unit for the people of northern Idleb and the western Aleppo countryside. It offers 20,000 consultations, 1,500 surgeries and 1,000 blood bags on a monthly basis. The hospital has 10 surgery rooms and six haemodialysis units. The hospital’s fuel stocks were running low due to the intermittent closure of transit routes between Afrin district and the western countryside of Aleppo. The NGO is in discussion with the local authorities in Hatay to determine the best way to provide fuel to the facility. An assured fuel supply will allow the hospital to maintain operations in the coming month. Spotlight on Children and Youth

Levels of violence experienced by children and youth throughout Syria remain disturbingly high. Recruitment of children by parties to the conflict, at an increasingly younger age, including for combat roles, is widespread across the country. 45 per cent of 262 sub-districts in Syria surveyed in the last humanitarian needs analysis described it as a prominent concern.

A recent study of the Syrian context links recruitment by violent extremist groups to a number issues, including lack of economic opportunity; a disruptive social context, experiences of violence, displacement, trauma and loss; and deprivation of personal psychological needs for efficacy, autonomy and purpose; and degradation of education infrastructure and opportunities to learn. It also suggests that responses need to look at alternative livelihoods (outside of armed groups), comprehensive education, positive social networks, role models, non-violent social identities, and non-violent activism. Investment in these often under-prioritized areas of programming is essential.

Five years of conflict have tripled the proportion of Syrian children out of school from 0.9 million – 14 per cent - in the 2011/2012 school year to 2.8 million – 40 per cent – in the 2014 / 2015 school year. In order to facilitate increased access to education by Syrian children for the school year 2016/17, education actors have stressed that funding and investment need to be front-loaded, of adequate volume and allocated within the next few weeks.

National end-of-year school exams are scheduled for an estimated 300,000 ninth graders from 15-26 May, and for 250,000 twelfth graders from 30 May to 15 June. On 15 May, the GoS allowed about 360 ninth-grade school children to leave the besieged town of Madamiyet ElSham in order to take their year-end exams in GoS-controlled areas. About 68 ninth-graders from the besieged town of Madaya were allowed into the nearby town of Al-Rawda for the same purpose. 120 graders from Yarmouk exited the area (Yarmouk and YBB) on 11 May to take their Basic Education final exams scheduled for 15 May. This process coordinated with the GoS and supported by UNRWA, GAPAR, PLO and Palestine Red Crescent.

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Students living in hard-to-reach areas of Raqqa, Idleb, Deir-ez-Zor, Dar’a, Aleppo and Rural Damascus have to travel and cross active lines of conflict to get to schools and designated examination centres in order to sit for their end-of- year exams. UNICEF is currently working with the Ministry of Education to facilitate access for children from hard-to- reach areas to safe areas, in order to give them the opportunity to sit for their final exams for ninth and twelfth grades. More than 9,370 children who had individually traveled from these hard-to-reach areas are reported to have registered at examination centres in five hosting governorates where the exams will take place (i.e. Hama, Homs, Al- Hasakeh, Damascus, and accessible areas of Aleppo). More children are expected to travel from hard-to-reach areas in the coming days. In response, and in order to facilitate student participating, UNICEF has partnered with four NGOs to provide over 5,820 children with food, water, non-food items, education supplies, and remedial classes. UNICEF and partners aim to support 20,000 ninth and twelfth graders to attend the exams within this initiative. Other Humanitarian Developments by Governorate

Aleppo governorate

Access restrictions driving up fuel and commodity prices in Aleppo

Despite a lull in fighting brought about by provisional truces holding during the reporting period, humanitarian actors operating in many areas across Syria have continued to face access impediments on a regular basis.

In eastern Aleppo city, increased hostilities between non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and the People's Protection Units (YPG) on the outskirts of Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood led to a three-day closure (16-19 May) of the Al- Castello road, the last remaining route in and out of eastern Aleppo city. This disruption brought the flow of humanitarian aid to a standstill for a period of three days, raising concerns among some 300,000 residents remaining in eastern neighbourhoods of the city, as well as commercial traders and drivers carrying commodities from the logistical hub of Daret Azzah. Though reopened on 19 May, following a series of airstrikes, the road was reportedly again closed to civilian traffic on 22 May, and then reopened subsequently. As work on the eastern Aleppo preparedness plan has reached its final stages, the situation of the Al-Castello road appears to be ever more unstable. In anticipation of potential access disruptions, in February WFP began pre-positioning monthly food supplies for over 100,000 people in eastern Aleppo city at Bab Al-Hawa border-crossing.

The repeated closures of Al-Castello road, along with the closures of the transit routes between NSAG-held areas in northern and western Aleppo, and YPG-held Afrin district, have caused diesel fuel prices to increase significantly in Aleppo and Idleb governorates. In the past few weeks, the price of a barrel of diesel has tripled, reaching 100,000 SYP (US$ 458). The price of a gas cylinder has reached 7,500 ($34) in eastern Aleppo. On 15 May, it was reported that several communal generators – the primary and most consistent source of electricity in eastern Aleppo – were forced to increase the monthly subscription fee from 1,000 SYP ($4.50) per ampere to 1,500 ($6.90). In parallel to the price hike, daily electricity supply was reduced from eight to six hours per day.

Despite increased fuel prices, and with continued support from the Local Council of eastern Aleppo city for bakeries in the city, the price of a bag of bread remained stable at 100 SYP ($.45). The ability to the Local Council to maintain this price range will depend on the sustained availability of affordable fuel in the area.

Recent decrease in hostilities allows for relief activities in Aleppo city, though aid workers continue to be targeted by parties to the conflict Following the increase in shelling and airstrikes in Aleppo city last month, school activities had been suspended in eastern Aleppo city on 23 April in accordance with the decision of the Directorate of Education. In light of a relative decrease in fighting since respect for the national Cessation of Hostilities agreement in Aleppo city was reaffirmed, humanitarian partners operating in the education sector in Eastern Aleppo city were able to resume their activities on 17 May. Accordingly, the NSAG-controlled Education Directorate in Eastern Aleppo city rescheduled end of year examinations for school-aged children. Despite limited security improvements in Aleppo city during the reporting period that benefitted children and education, airstrikes on Hreitan city in Aleppo countryside on 19 May reportedly hit and damaged a school. The Bab Al-Nayrab water boosting station, damaged in airstrikes on 29 April, resumed operation after the opposition- affiliated Service Management Directorate carried out necessary repairs in the beginning of May. The station is again pumping water to some 20,000 households in the old city and some eastern neighbourhoods. However, there are remaining needs in the neighbourhoods that remain unaddressed.

With the support of local committees, the Health sector has initiated repair operations for facilities damaged or rendered inoperable during the previous reporting period. After the first floor of Al Quds hospital was rehabilitated, the facility was able to resume provision of emergency healthcare services to civilians in eastern Aleppo city. Shawqi

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Hilal Haemodialysis and Boustan Al-Qasir healthcare centres have also resumed their activities. Al-Marjeh Primary Health Center remains inoperable due to significant structural damages sustained in last month’s attacks.

While the reporting period witnessed a nominal decrease in fighting in Aleppo allowing for greater humanitarian access and aid provision, attacks on humanitarian actors and security incidents were recorded. On 10 May, an airstrike hit three warehouses of a Syrian NGO operating in Atareb sub-district, western Aleppo governorate. The NGO reported that two staff members (warehouse guards) were injured during the attack and were immediately taken to the hospital. In response to targeted strikes, the NGO confirmed that it was limiting stocks held in any one warehouse at any one time, in order to mitigate loss due to similar incidents. On 19 May, the hospital resumed its activities after receiving guarantees from NSAGs in Azaz town.

On 19 May, a mortar hit the Meridian Al-Shahba hotel in Aleppo city where the UN hub is situated. Although structural damages to the property occurred, no casualties were reported as the mortar hit an uninhabited part of the building. On 21 May, four rockets hit the Meridian Al-Shahba hotel. No casualties among UN or hotel staff were reported. UN staff took shelter for the night in the safe haven. Also, on 21 May, a Franciscan-run school in Al-Furqan neighbourhood in Western Aleppo was hit by missiles. The school was used as an elderly refuge for 19 elderly women. One woman died, while two were injured and remain in critical condition at the time of writing.

Idleb governorate

Surging fuel prices affecting cost of food and undermining food security

During the reporting period, the prices of diesel, flour and bread increased significantly in Idleb governorate. The issue of fuel availability has driven up the prices of basic commodities, and impacting upon the ability of people to afford basic food stuffs. Similar to the situation in Aleppo, the price of a barrel of diesel tripled from SYP 30,000 ($137) to SYP 90,000 ($412), the price of one ton of flour more than doubled from SYP 60,000 ($274) to SYP 150,000 ($687) and the cost of one bread bundle tripled from SYP 75 ($.75) to SYP 250 ($1.15). Given these increases, and with a limited expectation of an improvement of the availability of fuel, further price hikes are possible.

The increase in diesel prices is due to last month’s cut of the supply route by the Kurdish Authority in Afrin to prevent the crossing of trucks coming from ISIL-controlled areas to Idleb via northern rural Aleppo. As a consequence of the price rises, operating hours of power generators were reduced from six to two hours per day, while the price of one ampere increased from SYP 1,500 ($6.90) per six hours to SYP 2,000 ($9.17) per two hours.

Increases in diesel prices have affected the cost of bread production, prompting the closure of private bakeries, and ultimately leading to an increase in bread prices. Compounding the problem, an INGO that used to provide flour to Idleb suspended its activities two months ago. Following discussions with the local bakeries, some local councils decided to reduce the weight of the bread bag by half and raise the price slightly.

Partially mitigating rising bread prices and increasing food insecurity, for the first time, SARC received assistance through a cross-border shipment. WFP delivered 5,000 food rations from Turkey to Idleb city that were off-loaded in the SARC Idleb warehouse. The food rations will be distributed in the southern part of the city which is not covered by WFP’s partners or other agencies working in food distribution.

Indiscriminate attacks against civilians and infrastructure continue

Attacks against civilians continued in Idleb governorate during the reporting period. On 10 May, multiple airstrikes hit the main market in Bennsh town, killing 10 people and wounding 20. Aside from the casualties, the airstrikes caused major structural damage to Shuaib mosque. In response to the attack, a NSAG fired multiple mortar rounds on the besieged towns of Foah and Kafraya. Residents have reportedly expressed concern that such attacks may threaten the Four Towns Agreement between the two opposing sides.

On 13 May, airstrikes hit a gynaecology and obstetrics hospital and a medical facility belonging to SARC, causing considerable damage. Following repairs, it has been reported that both facilities have resumed their activities. Attacks on medical facilities by parties to the conflict remain an issue of grave concern that requires an immediate solution.

Ar-Raqqa governorate

In anticipation of a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) offensive on Ar-Raqqa, civilians were urged to evacuate areas likely to be impacted. The International Coalition is reported to have air-dropped leaflets inside Ar-Raqqa and the countryside informing civilians of an impending offensive and urging them to leave the area. ISIL reportedly allowed people to leave Ar-Raqqa, but only to other ISIL-held areas such as the countryside of Ar-Raqqa, Menbij and Al-Bab in Aleppo countryside, and Mosul, Iraq.

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In collaboration with the local Water Authority, and with funding from ICRC, SARC started repair works on the main water station in Ar-Raqqa that was partially damaged and rendered inoperable by airstrikes about a month ago. Additionally, a convertor was repaired, restoring electricity supply to water stations supporting Ar-Raqqa. Once completed, around 700,000 people will benefit from this repair work.

Frustrating the repair of electricity supply to Ar-Raqqa and consistent supply, ISIL is reported to have advanced plans to sell electricity to Hama. The electricity supply was cut for 21 hours in early May, resulting in electricity availability for only 3 hours per day.

The Azaz-Ar-Raqqa route has remained closed since early May due to fighting. Consequently, prices of food supplies and medicines (if available) are reported to have drastically increased in both Ar-Raqqa and Tell Abiad.

Al-Hasakeh governorate

Resulting from the closure of the border crossings between Al-Hasakeh governorate, Iraq and Turkey, the humanitarian situation in Al-Hasakeh governorate continued to deteriorate during the reporting period. Despite multiple requests by Kurdish authorities and the civilian population of Al-Hasakeh, humanitarian access through Nusaybin border crossing point remains closed, as does the FishKhabur - Simalka crossing point between Iraqi Kurdistan and Al-Hasakeh governorate. Although some INGOs are still able to use the Fishkhabur – Simalka crossing to access Al-Hasakeh governorate, the aid they bring in is only able to satisfy a small fraction of locals’ needs.

Presently, UN humanitarian assistance to Al-Hasakeh governorate can only been received via Qamishli airport. As a result, prices of basic commodities are surging, affecting the food security of local populations. Sugar prices are reported to have increased from SYP 300 ($1.40) to SYP 1,000 ($4.60); one liter of cooking oil increased from SYP 400 to ($1.85) SYP 1,000; and tomatoes from SYP 350 ($1.60) to SYP 600 ($2.80). The price of one container of baby milk has gone up from SYP 1,000 to reach SYP 4,200 ($19.30) in some towns such as Qamishli.

In terms of the availability of medicine, it was reported that diabetes, heart disease, anti-inflammatory and cough medicines have become scarce. Different types of serums are likewise becoming difficult to find, which means that unless supplies are replenished, hospitals’ capacity to provide services will be significantly diminished. Two hospitals in Qamishli town currently report that they might be forced to shut down in the upcoming few months due to lack of medical supplies and consumables.

Against the backdrop of continued closure of Nusaybin crossing point and the absence of a viable overland alternative, the UN is working to establish an expensive air-bridge as a measure of last resort.

Families continue to return to Al-Hole and Tal Brak

After three years of displacement, IDPs from Tal Brak (located between Hasakeh city and Qamishli city) have been permitted by YPG and the Kurdish self-administration to return home. Most of these families were displaced to Hasakeh city and northern rural villages of Hasakeh sub-district in February 2013 when NSAGs and later ISIL took control of the area. So far, 3,000 individuals have returned to the town and surrounding areas, and an additional 3,000 are expected to return by the end of May 2016. Planning for sector-specific interventions is underway to build an environment conducive for return.

Following the decision by the Kurdish Self-Administration to permit displaced families to return Al-Hole town, on 9 May, an estimated 4,000 IDPs returned to Al-Hole. The water network, electricity, and telecommunication systems are at least partially damaged. Nearly all government buildings, schools and health centers have been looted. As per SARC Hasakeh, the most urgent need for the returning families is drinking water. There are no public sources of drinking water in the Al-Hole sub-district, as the water pipeline from Hasakeh city has sustained extensive damages, and repairs are costly. Most families purchase untested trucking water from private vendors at their own expense. 1,000 liters are currently being sold at SYP 2,000 ($9.20). Due to significant damage to the power grid, electricity has not been supplied to the area for more than two years. Despite these recent returns, SDF are reportedly still preventing 2,200 families from returning to their homes in Albahra town, located 20 km east of Al-Hole town in Al-Hole sub-district. YPG and SDF took control of Al-Hole sub- district in November 2015, and about 2,200 families have been displaced to surrounding villages since.

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2,700 Iraqi refugees in Al-Hole refugee Camp

More than 2,700 Iraqi refugees are currently living in the Al-Hole camp. Refugees started fleeing mounting insecurity in the rural areas of Mosul about a month ago. According to local sources, most of the Iraqi refugees are planning to return to Iraq, which they now consider safe to return to, however, Peshmerga forces are reportedly preventing them from doing so. In the interim, drinking water, food, NFIs and hygiene kits have been identified as priority needs and some basic relief items have been provided by the Kurdish self-administration through the YPG. UNHCR started the registration process through outreach volunteers.

Deir-ez-Zor governorate

Fuel shortage impacting upon food security and water availability

The humanitarian situation in Deir-ez-Zor continues to deteriorate. During the reporting period, bread availability inside the besieged part of Deir-ez-Zor was further diminished by a shortage of fuel. Reports indicate that two out of the three existing bakeries in the besieged city suspended operations on 15 May. Despite this, food security is reported to be greatly improved as a result of airdrop operations. The water pumping station has also suspended operation due to the fuel shortage, resulting in water being cut since 15 May. People either pay SYP 1,000 ($4.60) per gallon of water or consume untreated water from the river.

Hama governorate

On 8 May, a local agreement was signed in Alsamrah, in north-eastern rural Hama, allowing around 1,000 individuals to return to Alsamrah from neighboring villages. Russian forces in Hama reportedly distributed 150 food parcels to the returnees and the governor promised to rehabilitate the town’s damaged infrastructure. On 17 May, due to intensified airstrikes in the Hurbnafsah area, about 400 families (2,000 individuals) were temporarily displaced from Jarjesah, Albeah, Tomen and AlSwidah villages (located nearby Hurbnafsah village) to Kafer Bhm, Hama city and AlHoula area in northern rural Homs.

Damascus/Rural Damascus governorates Displacement in Eastern Ghouta as GoS Advances Since the beginning of May, more than 13,600 people have been displaced as a result of GoS advances in the southern section of Eastern Ghouta. IDPs have moved north within enclaved Eastern Ghouta to communities already struggling to support their local populations. Reports indicate that a significant portion of this caseload has been displaced multiple times in recent months as they try to return to tend to their fields. The most recent displacement advance has pushed them further away from their lands. In total, since the end of 2013, more than 80,000 people are estimated to have been displaced from the rich agricultural lands of al-Marj and the Southern area of Eastern Ghouta, further inside the enclave. 23 of 28 Al-Marj villages are now reported to be empty. Seven out of eight villages in the South of Eastern Ghouta are likewise nearly empty of residents, with as few as 200 individuals believed to remain in the area. Since the national Cessation of Hostilities agreement came into effect, inter-agency UN convoys have been permitted entry to militarily enclaved Eastern Ghouta sub-district for the first time in years. In a breakthrough for formal UN humanitarian access, Kafr Batna sub-district was served by inter-agency distributions for three consecutive months in the first quarter of 2016. An inter-agency convoy also delivered assistance to East Harasta in May, for the first time since 2013. Despite corresponding provisions within the Cessation of Hostilities agreement, permissions to send certain essential humanitarian goods, such as surgical kits, through formal channels to Eastern Ghouta as well as other locations on the priority lists, remain difficult to secure. The now largely vacated Southern area of Eastern Ghouta along with neighboring al-Marj Area was the “bread basket” of Eastern Ghouta. The latter area accounted for no less than 50,000 dunums of wheat, barley and vegetable production. The change of control of these areas will seriously impact food security in the rest of the enclave. Prices of food items are soaring in Ghouta, particularly for wheat, which is reported to have increased from SYP 210 ($1.00) to SYP 350 ($1.60) per kilo.

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Conditions deteriorate in Khan Elshih as tighter access restrictions are imposed on the enclave

On 13 May, Save the Children reported that essential supplies are being blocked from entering the predominantly Palestinian area of Khan Elshih in Rural Damascus, putting an estimated 12,000 people, including 3,000 children, at risk of becoming trapped inside. The report indicates that the last remaining access road to Khan Elshih was closed during the past week due to heavy shelling and snipers. Shelling on Khan Elshih on 17 May killed five Palestine refugees and a Syrian, including a mother and her 12-year-old son. Access to the camp has been severely restricted for nearly three years, with military checkpoints established around the camp and all main roads between the camp and Damascus closed since 2013. Civilians had been able to get food, medicine and supplies from the nearby town of Zakia, Saghnaya and J’deitet Artouz, however, in the weeks prior to the closure of the last access route, medicine has also been prevented from entering Zakia. UNRWA’s second 2016 food distribution round (delivered from centers in Sahnaya and J’deidet Artouz) began on 26 April and will conclude at the end of June. UNRWA reports that a steady stream of Khan Elshih camp residents are arriving at the distribution points to receive their food rations and to return to their homes.

During the first quarter of 2016, 425 Palestine refugees made the return journey to J’deidet Artouz to collect prescribed medication after having consulted the doctor at the UNRWA clinic in Khan Elshih. In the same period, approximately 1,500 Palestine refugees travelled from Khan Elshih directly to J’deidet Artouz to avail themselves of health care and medication at UNRWA 100 patients allowed out of besieged Madamiyet ElSham for treatment Since 17 May, following a visit of a high level representative of government security forces to Madamiyet ElSham, around 150 medical cases have been evacuated from the besieged city. The first 100 were evacuated during the visit. In parallel, limited sales of sandwiches were initiated at the GOS checkpoint, to be consumed on site.

Dar’a/Quneitra/As-Sweida governorates

Aerial bombardment of Dar’a resumes

On 21 May, aerial bombardment returned in force to Dar’a governorate, hitting villages in both the east and west, including Sayda, West Tafas, the area of al-Ashari, Kafr Nassij, ‘Aqriba, and Nawa. In Sayda, where a bomb fell in

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org Syria Crisis Bi-Weekly Situation Report No. 05 | 9 the area of the town’s main market, multiple civilian casualties were reported. The most recent developments are of broader significance as aerial bombing of residential areas has long been the principle cause of short-term displacement in southern Syria. Partners continue to monitor the situation.

During the reporting period, pro-government forces intensified shelling on the road from Zamrin to al-Harra in northwest Dar’a, while heavy shelling continued in Dar’a City. In southwestern Dar’a, clashes also continued to take place between Liwa Shuhadaa Al Yarmouk (LSY) and the armed opposition, concentrated in the vicinity of Ain Thakar and Sahm El Golan (to which some IDPs had returned after the armed opposition retook it from LSY). On 16 May, vast areas of agricultural lands used to grow wheat were burned down as a consequence of mutual bombardment.

Key supply route re-opened between Dar’a and As-Sweida

In Government controlled areas of both Dar’a and As-Sweida governorates, prices continue to soar due to the rapidly descending exchange rate. During the reporting period, the week-long closure of the Dar’a-As-Sweida supply road caused a further spike in the prices of fuel and related commodities in Dar’a and in the price of fresh produce in As- Sweida.

Decreasing water Supply in Dar’a

With summer approaching, concerns are growing about the capacity of farmers in opposition-controlled areas to sustain their crops and herds amid water shortages in Dar’a Governorate. Notably, Dar’a Dam, an important source of water for agriculture in the south, has now been dry for over a month because there is no fuel to run pumps that supply water. Similarly, Sed al-Wihda (Unity Dam) has a full water supply, but lacks the fuel to pump water. The situation for farmers is expected to worsen in coming months. Humanitarian Funding

On 4 February 2016, the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in London brought together world leaders to mobilise resources for Syria. Donors pledged $12 billion, with $6 billion earmarked for 2016; $6.1 billion pledged for 2017-20 and $40 billion recorded as concessional loan pledges. Six donors (Germany, European Commission, USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Norway) pledged a combined total of $4.56 billion – which represents over three quarters of the overall amount for 2016.

As of 20 May, 61 per cent of the pledges had been allocated (with 41 per cent of the overall $6 billion pledged funds allocated to UN–coordinated appeals); 53 per cent of the pledged funds had been allocated to an implementing organization; and 72 per cent of pledged funds had been allocated to a recipient country affected by the crisis.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org Syria Crisis Bi-Weekly Situation Report No. 05 | 10

Humanitarian Pooled Fund Allocations for Syria

The Syria Humanitarian Fund received new contributions of $10.9 million for 2016 resulting in a total of $35.8 million in the Fund. Of this amount, $23 million has been allocated to 20 projects (nine under reserve allocation and 11 under the standard allocation), leaving a balance of $12.8 million. The funding target for 2016 has been set at US$60 million. Key Humanitarian Reports and Updates

 ICRC/UN: Joint Statement by ICRC/United Nations in Syria: Aid convoy turns back after being refused entry to besieged Daraya  UN Department of Public Information: Statement of the International Syria Support Group, 17 May 2016  UNGA Human Rights Council: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons on his mission to the Syrian Arab Republic  UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: 2016 UN Inter-Agency Humanitarian Operations (as of 18 May 2016)  Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition: No Protection, No Respect: Health Workers and Health Facilities Under Attack: 2015 and Early 2016  Save the Children: Children among dead and injured as siege tightens in Damascus area  UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Syrian Arab Republic: Ar-Raqqa Governorate Reference Map (as of 22 May 2016)  UN Department of Public Information: Joint press stakeout by UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura and UN Senior Adviser, Jan Egeland after the Humanitarian Access Task Force meeting, 19 May 2016  World Health Organization: Delivering health care in crises: attacks on health care and the need for compliance to international humanitarian law  International Alert: Why Young Syrians Choose to Fight: Vulnerability and resilience to recruitment by violent extremist groups in Syria

For further information, please contact: Sebastien Trives, Head of OCHA Syria, [email protected] Trond Jensen, Head of OCHA Turkey, [email protected] Sarah Muscroft, Head of OCHA Jordan, [email protected] Helena Fraser, Head of OCHA Regional Office for the Syria Crisis, [email protected] For more information, please visit www.unocha.org/syria www.reliefweb.int

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org