In Its Third Year

Home , Aleppo, Atme, Idlib, IHH (Turkish NGO), Jarabulus, Qah

SYRIAN CRISIS IN ITS THIRD YEAR FIELD REPORT MAY 2011 - JUNE 2013 Prepared by: Osman Atalay, Murat Kavakdan, Gülden Sönmez Translated by: Adnan Demir Edited by: IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Research and Publications Department Photographs by: IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation

Contact: IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Büyük Karaman Cad. Taylasan Sok. No: 3 Pk. 34230 Fatih/İstanbul-Turkey Tel: +90 212 631 21 21 | Fax: +90 212 621 70 51 www.ihh.org.tr | [email protected]

2 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 CONTENTS 3 INTRODUCTION 4 HUMANITARIAN DIMENSION OF SYRIA CRISIS 4 BACKGROUND OF CRISIS 5 CURRENT SITUATION 6 DISTRIBUTION OF SYRIAN REFUGEES 8 WHERE AND WHAT DO WE DO? 8 AID EFFORTS BY REGION A. Syria B. Turkey C. Lebanon D. Jordan 12 DELIVERIES OF BASIC SUPPLIES 15 SHELTER AID 16 HEALTHCARE AID 18 OTHER KINDS OF AID 20 ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS 22 HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY 24 WHO DO WE WORK WITH? 27 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 1 2 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 INTRODUCTION

This report deals with the humanitarian aspects of the ongoing crisis in Syria that broke out in March 2011 and the relief efforts undertaken by IHH Huma- nitarian Relief Foundation in the region. The number of people affected by the 1 crisis progressively rising and the violent events taking place continuing to inflict irreparable damage both on society and the lives of individuals makes it vital to increase efforts in order to rapidly solve the problem.

This report has been prepared with the hope of contributing to the efforts for healing of the Syrian people affected by the crisis and urging all national and international mechanisms for a rapid settlement to the crisis.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 3 HUMANITARIAN DIMENSION 2 OF SYRIA CRISIS the Syrian people are once more facing a CRISIS BACKGROUND Syria, ruled under a state of emergency mass slaughter today. In March 2011, 15 following the military coup exercised by children, aged between nine to 15, from the Ba’ath Party in 1963, has been go- the same family were detained and tor- verned by the Assad family since 1970. tured for writing a slogan on a school wall The fight for freedom led by the Syrian in southwestern city of Deraa. Relatives Ikhwan-I Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood) of the children protested against the de- movement against Hafez al-Assad, the tention of the children but faced excessive only authority in the country following the response from security forces, prompting

coup, has become the most prominent mass protests in Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, rivaling movement of the period. Taking Homs, Baniyas and Latakia and later tur-

extremely strict measures against the ning into a countrywide uprising. The Syrian people, peacefully demanding The protest that began when 15 children reform by holding protests only after Fri- “ day prayers for six months since March from the same family, aged between 9 and 2011, have only voiced their wishes to- 15, were detained and tortured for in Deraa wards reforms in order to live in more liberated conditions. Upon the protests in March 2011 writing a slogan on the school becoming widespread, Bashar al-Assad “ made international announcements from wall rapidly spread to the whole country. the assembly in Damascus in March and April 2011 that he would undertake re- rebels’ fight for freedom, Hafez al-Assad forms on various issues, such as people’s chose a violent path causing the Hama rights to organize, form parties, syndicate Massacre in 1982 where approximately rights, independent elections, the provisi- 50,000 people were killed and 20,000 on of social justice and the protection of were reported missing. Several massacres rights of different people living within Syria were also undertaken in many other regi- such as the Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens. ons, primarily in Tadmur, Aleppo, and al- However, he failed to live up to any of Raqqah, in attempts to suppress the public these promises and instead has deployed demand for freedom. firearms to suppress the protesters and Having struggled with cruelty, oppression, caused hundreds of deaths in the first four fraud and poverty for nearly 50 years, months following protests in Deraa alone.

4 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 CURRENT STUATION

The people, witnessing more and more ken a different course and a civil war has deaths and arrests of their peers, have broken out since July 2011 with soldiers Having struggled lost all hope in the possibility of change in defecting from the Syrian army and the with cruelty, Bashar al-Assad’s policies and the peaceful people taking up arms to defend themsel- protests have been replaced by a revolt oppression, fraud ves against the armed regime. that supports the idea of overthrowing and poverty for the regime. The events in Syria have ta- nearly 50 years, the Syrian people are once more facing a mass slaughter today.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 5 HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SYRIA

Population in need of aid 6,8 Million

Displaced population (within Syria) SYRIA Death toll 4,25 Million Total population 22 Million +93.000 Number of Displaced population destroyed homes (in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, 1,2 Million North Africa) ) Number of identified 1,6 Million HUMANITARIAN prisons and torture centers SITUATION IN SYRIA 27 SOURCE: OCHA, UNHCR (As of June 2013)

As of June 2013, UN figures shows Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Tur- more than 93,000 people have been key, and 4,25 million have been displa- killed in Syria while independent sour- ced. Meanwhile, Committee to Protect ces working in the region state that the Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Sans death toll is much higher than reported. Frontières (Reporters Without Borders On the other hand reports also state – RSF) data shows that since the esca- that thousands have been injured in the lation of the events, 36 reporters have massacres, 500,000 people have been been killed in Syria, which has become

arrested, 1,68 million have been forced the most dangerous place in the world to flee to neighboring countries such as for reporters.

According to the June 2013 statistics from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the total number of Syrians that have entered Turkey is “ 309,000 and the number of Syrian registered in shelter “camps is over 194,000. Combined with those who have sought shelter in their relatives’ homes and who have rented houses in cities, the total number of Syrians in Turkey is estimated to have reached 400,000. 6 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 Sarıçam Tent City Cevdediye Tent City Merkez Tent City Öncüpınar Container City Merkez Tent City 1. Ceylanpınar Tent City 2. Akçakale Tent City 3. Harran Container City

1. Islahiye Tent City 2. Karkamış Tent City 3. Nizip Tent City 4. Nizip Container City

1. Reyhanlı Permanent Sheltering Center 2. Altınözü 1 Tent City 3. Altınözü 2 Tent City 4. Apaydın Tent City 5. Yayladağı 1 Tent City 6. Yayladağı 2 Tent City

FIELDSOURCE: REPORT OCHA, JUNE UNHCR, 2013 AFAD7 WHERE AND WHAT DO WE DO? IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has shelter, food and healthcare. Relief supplies been undertaking various relief efforts sin- are delivered to Syrians through IHH Co- ce March 2011 in order to provide those ordination Offices in Kilis and Reyhanlı, Ha- who have been displaced within Syria and tay. IHH is serving Syrian refugees with 40 3 Syrian refugees who have sought asylum in staff members and about 60 volunteers in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Leba- coordination offices as well as with 60 non- non and Jordan with basic supplies such as governmental organizations within Syria. A- SYRIA IHH has been actively assisting displaced people in Syria and Palestinian refugees in the country since June 2012.

IDLIB ALEPPO Ebbin, Kielli, Sarmada, al-Dana, Korgonya, Binnish, Azaz, Sukkari, Salahaddin, Gal’a, Bab al-Nayrab, Masakeen Saraqeb, Keferte Harem, Maara, Kuriy, Ramiyye, Sinjar, Henano, Baideyn, Termanin, Tegad, Jarabulus Refugee Camp Maarat al-Numan, Maarbellit, Seyjer, Atmeh Refugee (population 1,500), Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp (population TURKEY Camp (population 27,028), Kerame Refugee Camp 13,500). (population 7,500), Qah Refugee Camp (population 7,000), Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp (population 2,250), Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp (population 7,250), Taibah Refugee Camp (population 2,500), El-Rahme Refugee Camp (population 2,000), Telabiad AL-HASAKAH Tent City (under construction), Harim Refugee Camp (under City center and surrounding construction). villages.

AL-RAQQAH MEDITERRANEAN City center and surrounding villages. LATAKIA City center and surrounding SYRIA villages. DEIREZ-ZOR City center and surrounding villages. HAMA City center and surrounding IRAQ villages.

HOMS LEBANON City center and surrounding villages. DONATIONS TO DAMASCUS SYRIA AID CAMPAIGN City center and surrounding JORDAN villages. (March 2011-June 2013) CASH DONATION 56.289.845 TL IN-KIND AID 36.241.176 TL TOTAL 92.531.021 TL

8 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 AID TO SYRIA BY CATEGORY (March 2011-June 2013) SOCIAL AID 30.054.149 TL

FOOD AID 35.085.918 TL IHH is working SHELTER AID 18.518.335 TL with about 60 nongovernmental HEALTHCARE AID 14.069.765 TL organizations in Syria to implement TOTAL 97.728.167 TL relief activities. B- TURKEY Since March 2011 when refugee influx to Turkey started, IHH has been delivering humanitarian assistance to refugees through coordination offices in Kilis and Rey- hanlı, Hatay and with aid workers.

TURKEY

HATAY GAZIANTEP KILIS ŞANLIURFA Rural Hatay, Reyhanlı*, Yayladağı 1 Tent Islahiye Tent City Öncüpınar Container City, Rural Şanlıurfa, Ceylanpınar Tent City, City, Yayladağı 2 Tent City, Bohşin Tent Elbeyli Container City Akçakale Tent City City, Boynuyoğun Tent City, Apaydın Tent City, Hacıpaşa and Güveççi villages, Harim Tent City

SYRIA IRAQ MEDITERRANEAN

* The camps in Reyhanlı were dismantled in 2012 and the refugees here were relocated to nearby camps.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 9 C- LEBANON IHH has been implementing various humanitarian aid activities for refugees on the Syria- Lebanon border since August 2011.

TARABLUS DINNIYEH Rural Tarablus, Baddawi Refugee Camp, Rural Dinniyeh Nahr al-Bared Refugee Camp

BEIRUT Rural Beirut, Marsilya Refugee Camp, Shatila Refugee Camp, Burj al-Baraj Refugee Camp, Dabiyye Refugee Camp, Daug Refugee Camp ARSAL Rural Arsal

SAIDA Rural Saida, Ayn al-Hulwa Refugee Camp, Miet Refugee Camp and Mie Refugee Camp BAALBEK Rural Baalbek, Jelil Refugee Camp

TYRE SYRIA Rural Tyre, Bas Refugee Camp, Rashidieh Refugee Camp, Burj al-Shamali Refugee Camp, coastal refugee camps

MEDITERRANEAN PALESTINE

AID DELIVERED TO SYRIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON Date Number of beneficiaries Amount ($) Ramadan food packages deliveries 01.08.2011 4.200 50.000 Qurban meat deliveries 06.11.2011 8.050 23.800 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 01.12.2011 3.000 10.000 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 01.03.2012 3.500 30.000 Building an operating theater at Arsal Hospital and providing the hospital with equipment 09.05.2012 15.000 230.000 Ramadan food packages deliveries 20.07.2012 3.500 19.800 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 08.08.2012 5.000 25.000 Qurban meat deliveries 25.10.2012 20.000 23.800 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 30.01.2013 5.000 10.127 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 25.02.2013 40.000 50.000 Food packages, clothing and blankets deliveries 20.03.2013 25.000 31.500 Total 132.250 504.027

10 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 D- JORDAN IHH has been implementing various humanitarian aid activities for refugees on the Syria-Jordan border since March 2012.

RAMSA IRAQ Rural Ramsa SYRIA

AL-MAFRAQ Rural Al-Mafraq

AMMAN Husein Refugee Camp, Nizal district

PALESTINE

SAUDI ARABIA

AID DELIVERED TO SYRIAN REFUGEES IN JORDAN Date Number of Beneficiaries Amount ($) Food packages deliveries 03.03.2012 15.000 25.000 Ramadan food packages deliveries 15.07.2012 25.000 30.000 Qurban meat deliveries 25.10.2012 80.000 29.500 Total 120.000 84.500

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 11 DELIVERY OF BASIC SUPPLIES

12 SURİYE RAPORU MAYIS 2013 A- FOOD STUFFS

Food package: Rice, lentils, bulghur, cooking oil, margarine, potato, jam, macaroni, tomato sauce, halva, instant soup, sugar, salt, chickpea, dried beans. In Syria, Idlib (Atmeh, Qah, Kerame, and Bab al-Hawa refugee camps), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp); in Turkey, Hatay (Hacıpaşa and Güveççi villages, Boynuyoğun Tent City, Yayladağı 1 Tent City, Yayladağı 2 Tent City, Apaydın Tent City); Gaziantep (Islahiye Tent City), Kilis (Öncüpınar Con- tainer City), Şanlıurfa (Ceylanpınar Tent City). Mobile kitchen: Daily hot food distributions to 15,000 people. Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp) in Syria. Breakfast food deliveries: Joint project with Red Crescent Society of Turkey. Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp), Idlib (Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp) in Syria. Drinking water deliveries In Syria, Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp), Idlib (Bab al-Hawa Refu- gee Camp-Joint project with Red Crescent Society of Turkey, Atmeh Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Taibah Refugee Camp, al-Rahme Refugee Camp, Telabiad Tent City, Jarablus Refugee Camp); in Tur- key, Hatay (Harim Tent City; Hacıpaşa and Güveççi villages). Flour deliveries In Syria, Aleppo (Sukkari, Salahaddin, Gal’a, Bab al-Nayrab, Masaken Henano, Baideyn, Termanin, Tegad), Homs (Tadmur, Garyeteyn, Suhne, Muhin, Havvariin, al-Gusayr, al-Buveyda), Idlib (Ebbin, Kielli, Sarmada, al-Da- na, Korgonya, Binnish, Saraqeb, Keferte Harem, Maara, Kuriy, Ramiyye, Sinjar, Maarat al-Numan, Maarbellit, Seyjer). Bread deliveries In Turkey, Hatay (Reyhanlı (50,000 a day)) and Kilis (4,000 loaves a day, 5,000 loaves a day on Fridays); in Syria, Idlib (Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Dar al-Istishfa, Kauvit Hospital, Sarmada refugee homes, Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp-15,000 loaves a day, Azaz-1,000 loaves a day, 5,000 loaves a day on Fridays).

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 13 B- CLOTHING

Miscellaneous seasonal clothing items, underwear, pajamas, slippers, shoes In Syria, Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp, Jarabulus Refugee Camp), Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Taibah Refugee Camp, El-Rahme Refugee Camp, Telabiad Tent City); in Turkey, Hatay (Harim Tent City, Hacıpaşa and Güveççi villages)

C- CLEANING MATERIALS

Hygiene kits: Soap, tooth brushes and toothpaste, shampoo, pads, deter- gent, wet wipes, toilet paper. In Syria, Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp, Jarabulus Refugee Camp), Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Taibah Refugee Camp, El-Rahme Refugee Camp, Telabiad Tent City); in Turkey, Hatay (Ha- rim Tent City, Boynuyoğun Tent City, Yayladağı 1 Tent City, Yayladağı 2 Tent City, Apaydın Tent City), Gaziantep (Islahiye Tent City), Kilis (Öncüpınar Container City), Şanlıurfa (Ceylanpınar Refugee Camp)

14 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 SHELTER AID

INSTALLATION OF CONTAINER CITIES Kilis Elbeyli Container City (In this joint project with AFAD, IHH installed 1,000 out of 3,000 container shelters. The city contains four schools, two healthcare clinics and two masjids.) Aleppo Azaz-Shammarin Container City (As part of this joint project with Qatari Hayriyye charity, 10-square-meter 100 container shelters will be installed for families of orphans and martyrs. The container city is currently under construction.) Aleppo Azaz-Sicco Container City (As part of this joint project with Ku- waiti Hayriyye charity, 12-square-meter 100 container shelters will be installed for families of orphans and martyrs. The container city is currently under construction.) INSTALLATION OF TENT CITIES Hatay Harim Tent City (The installation of 1,040-tent city is in progress.), Idlib Telabiad Tent City (The project is jointly implanted with Qatari Red Crescent.) TENT DELIVERIES Aleppo (1,120 tents were delivered to Afrin Refugee Camp, Hureytan Refu- gee Camp, Azaz Refugee Camp, Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp, Tedif Refugee Camp and Hayyan Refugee Camp.) DISTRIBUTION OF SHELTER MATERIALS NEEDED Deliveries of blankets, sleeping bags, mats, mattresses, stoves, heaters, power generators, straw mats, chargeable lamps, duvet cover sets, pillows, kitchenware, fuel. In Syria, Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp, Jarabulus Refugee Camp); Idlib (Atme Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Higher Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Lower Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp, Tai- bah Refugee Camp, El-Rahme Refugee Camp, Telabiad Tent City); in Turkey, Hatay (Harim Tent City, Hacıpaşa and Güveççi villages)

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 15 HEALTHCARE AID

MEDICAL TRAILERS

Medical trailers were first commissioned in Hatay and now one is stationed in Kırıkhan and one at Bab al-Salam Border Crossing in Öncüpınar, Kilis. Each day about 100 refugees are examined at the medical trailers and they are provided with medication. The trailers are offering healthcare services with prac- titioner doctor, otolaryngologist, gynecologist, and cardiologist.

16 SURİYE RAPORU MAYIS 2013 HEALTHCARE AID

1. Installation of health units 17 units in Aleppo,16 in Idlib (5 in Atmeh Refugee Camp, 3 in Qah Refugee Camp, 2 in Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp 1, 4 in Kerame Refugee Camp and 2 in the country); 15 in Hama, 12 in Deirez-Zor and 7 in Latakia 2. Opening a hospital with Qatari Red Crescent Idlib (Telabiad Hospital, Selma Hospital, Bab al-Salam Healthcare Clinic); Aleppo (Jarabulus Hospital, Bab al-Hawa Healthcare Clinic) 3. Financial and in-kind aid to hospitals Idlib (Telabyad Hospital, Selma Hospital, Bab al-Salam Healthcare Clinic); Aleppo (Jarabulus Hospital, Bab al-Hawa Healthcare Clinic) 4. Opening pharmacies: It is serving daily 75-100 on average. Hatay (One in Kırıkhan and Reyhanlı each) 5. Mobile healthcare trailer: It is serving daily 75-100 on average. Hatay (Kırıkhan); Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Border Crossing) 6. Healthcare center: Rehabilitation centers where the wounded stay while they recover. 3 in Kilis 7. Medical check-ups Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Bab al-Hawa 1 Refugee Camp, Bab al-Hawa 2 Refugee Camp), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp) 8. Astringents deliveries In Aleppo and its districts, Hama and its districts, Idlib and its districts, and in central and rural Homs. 9. Deliveries of first aid kits In Turkey, Kilis; in Syria, Jarabulus, Aleppo (Joint project with Qatari Red Crescent) 10. Medicine deliveries In Turkey, Kilis (healthcare centers), Hatay (healthcare centers in Reyhan); in Syria, central and rural Aleppo. 11. Deliveries of serum, medical consumables, wheelchairs, crutch- es, medical suitcases and so on In Turkey, Kilis (Healthcare centers), Hatay (Healthcare centers in Reyhanlı and Kırıkhan) 12. Patient bags 13. Ambulances (donated by donors overseas) 12 were dispatched to Hama, 15 to Aleppo, 12 to Damascus, 17 to Idlib, 12 to Homs, 10 to Deirez-Zor, 15 to al-Raqqa and 9 to al-Hasakah.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 17 MISCELLANEOUS AID ITEMS

18 SURİYE RAPORU MAYIS 2013 MISCELLANEOUS AID ITEMS

1. Ramadan and Eid packages: Olive oil, zaatar, tahini, jam, molasses, cheese, olives, halva, summer halva, candy, rosewater and cologne In Syria, Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp) 2. Child packages: Milk/powdered milk, soap, tissues, child bags, slippers, fruit juice, biscuits In Syria, Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp) 3. Baby packages: Milk/powdered milk, diapers, infant formula, baby biscuits, wet wipes, shampoo, pacifier, nursing bottle, pinafore In Syria, Idlib (Atmeh Refugee Camp, Qah Refugee Camp, Kerame Refugee Camp, Bab al-Hawa Refugee Camp), Aleppo (Bab al-Salam Refugee Camp) 4. Mini fridges, fans, electric heaters In Turkey, Hatay (Boynuyoğun Tent City, Yayladağı 1 Tent City, Yayladağı 2 Tent City, Apaydın Tent City), Gaziantep (Islahiye Tent City), Kilis (Kilis Container City), Şanlıurfa (Ceylanpınar Tent City). 5. Diesel fuel to bakeries: Joint project with Qatari Red Crescent 6. Circumcision events

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 19 ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

On one hand, IHH is continuously sup- other hand it is running humanitarian porting the Syrian people, who lost diplomacy efforts at national and inter- 93,000 members and were pressured national gatherings by voicing human and tortured while demanding more rights violations against Syrians. freedom in peaceful protest, and on the

Date Venue Organizer 04.03.2012 Cairo OCHA-OIC-HF 07.03.2012 Geneva UNHRC 28.06.2012 Cairo Organization of Islamic Cooperation 16.07.2012 Geneva UNHRC 27.09.2012 Istanbul Sham Islamic Org 24.11.2012 Istanbul Organization of Islamic Cooperation 17.01.2013 Beirut Al-Ighathiyya 26.01.2013 Cape Town-Durban Muslim Judicial Council/Al-Imdat 29.01.2013 Istanbul SCPSS 29.01.2013 Kuwait IICO 19.02.2013 Geneva OCHA 21.03.2013 Ankara Institute of Strategic Thinking

20 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 At conventions attended by state repre- tendance of UN sub-units, Red Crescent sentatives as well as representatives of and Red Cross organizations and interna- nongovernmental organizations, IHH att- tional NGO representatives: racted attention to the real extents of the • Eliminating the obstacles before the de- crisis in the light of its experiences on the livery of humanitarian aid inside Syria and ground, shared all likely aid channels with dissociating humanitarian aid issues and attendees, and called for global cooperati- political disputes, on in response to the crisis. • Supplying all the basic necessities of refu- Aside from the UN meetings on the Syria gees taking asylum in neighboring countries, crisis, IHH has attended conventions organized with or separate from the Or- • Preparing against bigger potential crises, ganization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), • Determining human rights violations and the Arab League and the Humanitarian calling international mechanism for duty, Forum, made presentations and taken an • Ensuring the safety of NGO workers active role in workshops. Issues related to undertaking humanitarian aid activities, the Syrian crisis, including the following, were discussed in detail and reports pre- • The cooperation among bodies and or- pared in meetings organized with the at- ganizations undertaking similar activities.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 21 HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY With humanitarian diplomacy that it has porters, one Afghan, reporter Adem Öz- been implementing alongside its humani- köse, cameraman Hamit Coşkun as well as tarian aid operations, IHH Humanitarian İdris Çanakçı and Ekrem Ciğerli, two Tur- Relief Foundation aims to secure access to kish citizens who were living in Syria with civilians in the most efficient way possib- their families. The released captives were le by undertaking the roles of arbitration detained either by the Syrian government and mediation between warring parties in or by rebel forces. crisis zones. In Syria, where violations against civilians, IHH is implementing humanitarian dip- particularly against women and children, lomacy in Syria too in order to protect/ have reached alarming levels, IHH, in at- rescue civilians caught in the ongoing crisis. tempts to prevent the crisis from sprea- In this regard, IHH took initiative to secu- ding to a wider region, is bringing together re the release of reporter Adem Özköse the religious leaders and opinion leaders and cameraman Hamit Coşkun, who had of neighboring countries and is striving to been detained by the Syrian intelligence form a public opinion to ensure being rea- agency, and consequently the two journa- sonable is the dominant factor. lists were freed after 58 days in detention. IHH is currently continuing its attempts Thanks to humanitarian diplomacy IHH for the release of all civilians, including wo- has up to now secured the release of men, children and journalists, held captive 2,137 Syrians, 70 Iranians, six Western re- in Syria.

22 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 DETAINEES FREED BY HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY EFFORTS OF IHH

Those detained by the Syrian regime Turkish citizen : 5 Syrian citizen : 2.137 (2.061 men, 76 women) 5 2.137 1 German citizen : 1

Those detained by Syrian opposition Iran citizen : 70 Syrian citizen : 1 70 1 1 Afghan citizen : 1

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 23 WHO DO WE WORK WITH?

MASSIVE AID CAMPAIGN FOR SYRIA: 4 “BREAD AND BLANKET FOR SYRIA” In December 2012, an aid campaign titled Prime Minister Beşir Atalay and Director “Bread and blanket for Syria” was launc- of Religious Affairs Mehmet Görmez. IHH hed with the support of leading Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation was rep- nongovernmental organizations, trade resented at the program by IHH executi- unions, representatives of different eco- ve board member Osman Atalay. Funds nomic sectors, media companies, Turkish that are raised within the scope of the Disaster and Emergency Management campaign are being delivered to those in Presidency (AFAD), Turkish Red Crescent need of help inside Syria. Campaign con- and Turkish Diyanet Foundation. The aid tact platforms www.suriyeicinbirekmek. campaign was introduced at a program com and www.breadforsyria.com conta- that was organized at Haliç Congress ins names, logos and contact details of all Center with the attendance of Deputy NGOs contributing to the aid campaign.

24 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 HUMANITARIAN AID SENT TO SYRIA FROM DIFFERENT PROVINCES ACROSS TURKEY Contents of aid shipment sent with trucks: Clothing, textile products, footwear, blankets, household goods, foodstuffs, potatoes, flour, yeast, canned food, macaroni, cooking oil, bottled water, medicines.

As of June 2013 320 shipments of clothing, textile products, footwear, blankets, household goods, foodstuffs, bottled water, medicines and other basic supplies delivered to Syrian refugees. We thank the charitable people from Turkey for their sacrifices.

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 25 DONOR COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTING TO IHH SYRIA AID CAMPAIGN

CANADA FRANCE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BAHRAIN USA BRITAIN DENMARK QATAR SPAIN GERMANY KUWAIT

BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA EGYPT

ALGERIA BANGLADESH SAUDI ARABIA

MOROCCO LIBYA

AUSTRALIA PANAMA SOUTH AFRICA IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation is cooperating with 55 humanitarian aid organizations from 21 countries to deliver assistance to Syrian refugees.

26 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Due to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, regarding safety, health and education over 100 people lose their lives each day of children where refugees are loca- 5 while hundreds of thousands are forced ted, and special projects should be to flee their homes and homeland to es- conducted by organizing specialized in cape attacks, the risk of torture and rape, these fields. lack of basic supplies and so on. Forced 3. A humanitarian aid corridor should migration and the resulting state of asy- be formed to ensure the healthy deli- lum lead to deprivation and destitution. very of aid to the crisis zone. This humanitarian crisis, causing extensive damage throughout the country and 4. To resolve the humanitarian crisis expected to have long-term effects, has in Syria with the guidance of Syrian people’s will, leaders of the Islamic to be ended swiftly. With the guidance world should sincerely stand by the of Syrian people’s will, attempts must be Syrians. All official, semi-official or non- made to establish a fair and free order. In governmental international mecha- this context; nisms of the Islamic world should side 1. In order to provide constant and with the Syrian people and fulfill their regular humanitarian aid to Syrians af- responsibilities in this regard. fected by the crisis trying to survive in 5. In order to prevent the ongoing cri- Syria and refugee camps in other co- sis from turning into a battle of sects, untries through aid, more extensive aid NGOs, opinion leaders and scholars campaigns should be organized. should actively strive to solve the prob- 2. Special precautions should be taken lem. Iran and Hezbollah should imme-

FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013 27 diately cease activities that could bring 8. International human rights instituti- about a sectarian war in the region and ons should immediately take action to let Syrians decide on the fate of Syria. end human rights abuses taking place in prisons across Syria, and should take 6. Official visits from all over the world precautionary and solution-oriented to Syrian NGOs should be ensured, in measures. Torture, harassment and order to bring the humanitarian crisis execution practices in Syrian prisons in Syria to the world’s public agenda. have been occurring before the eyes 7. Due to the deepening humanitarian of the world public and in a way that crisis in Syria, hundreds of thousands leaves no need for observation and of Syrians are in danger of severe investigation. food and health problems. Today the 9. Efforts to protect civilians should be number of Syrian refugees only in increased and protective precautions Turkey reached 376,000. Despite the should be taken in this context. worsening situation, Turkey-based aid organizations have, unfortunately, 10. In Syria, neither national and inter- failed to effectively stand by innocent national legislation on human rights civilians, failed to properly fulfill their nor laws of war are observed. The responsibilities in this regard, and fai- failure of the international community led to analyze the crisis correctly due to impose any sanctions against Bashar to their confusion over the situation. al-Assad, who commits all kinds of un- These, in return, led to the deepening lawful actions, including using banned of humanitarian crisis Syrian refugees arms, against the civilian population, were going through. Aid organizations, is nothing but hypocrisy and double- however, have to by their nature deve- standards. This approach should be lop policies in support of the affected stopped without delay. The massacres people. It is among primary responsi- that have so far occurred due to the bilities of nongovernmental organizati- failure to close the Syrian airspace and ons to realistically assess dimensions of create a buffer zone make dominant humanitarian crisis faced and commu- powers responsible for the damage. nicate it to the public. Official policies, 11. The Turkish government had sho- as in the case of the Syria crisis, should wed concern saying “Another mas- not impede access to the deprived sacre like Hama massacre should not and the affected. In the period ahe- happen,” but Baniyas and Qusair mas- ad, all nongovernmental organizations sacres could not be prevented. The involved in humanitarian aid activities Syrian people should not be deprived should prepare long-term projects and of a policy that would prevent such implement them in accordance with a massacres. set timetable in order to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis going on in 12. The release of all women and child- Syria and stop victimization of the Syri- ren kept captive and hostage must be an people. ensured.

28 FIELD REPORT JUNE 2013

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