Dar'a, Qunaitra, Sweida Situation Report No.5

Syrian Arab Republic: Dar’a, Qunaitra, Sweida Situation Report No. 5 As of 2 August 2018

This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 27 July to 2 August 2018. Highlights

 Following large-scale territorial gains by the Government of Syria (GoS), the GoS now controls all areas of south- west Syria. There are reports of initial smaller-scale return movements of IDPs to their areas of origin in Qunaitra and Western Dar’a governorate, with efforts underway to confirm the overall number of returnees and IDPs. As of 1 August, up to 184,000 individuals were estimated to remain displaced.  A total of 10,064 individuals, including women and children, were evacuated from south-west Syria to Idleb and other areas in north-west Syria where the security situation remains volatile.  Life-saving humanitarian assistance has been dispatched at scale, and a number of services are being provided through UN partners across the south-west. However, access constraints, the suspension of nearly all cross- border assistance and a lack of presence and capacity on the ground continue to limit the humanitarian response. The United Nations is urgently appealing for immediate and sustained access to effectively assess needs and monitor the distribution of assistance.  The UN and partners, both from within Syria and cross-border, require a total of $84.8 million to support 300,000 affected people with protection and humanitarian assistance across south-west Syria. up to 10,064 463,955 $84.8 184,000 individuals, including IDPs and members is the funding people are estimated to remain women and children, were of the host community requirement identified by the displaced from their homes in evacuated to the northern cumulatively reached with UN and partners to assist south-west Syria governorates monthly food rations and those affected wheat flour1

Situational Overview

Following a military escalation and a series of local agreements, the GoS now controls all of Dar’a governorate and areas of Quneitra governorate, with the area that had until recently remained under the control of the ISIL-affiliated JKBW re-taken. There are unconfirmed reports that on 1 August, some 80 ISIL fighters from the Hawd Al-Yarmouk area and some 300 from the Al-Ragad valley south of Quneitra were evacuated to the Al-Badia, east of As-Sweida.

As in previous weeks, ongoing military activity in south-west Syria continued to affect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Most recently, on 30 July, reports were received that airstrikes hit an IDP camp near Koya, allegedly killing three girls, two women and one man. On 25 July, coordinated suicide attacks by ISIL on As-Sweida city and eastern rural As-Sweida and subsequent fighting, killed an estimated 240 people, injured at least 170, and displaced many more. Scores of ISIL militants also raided homes in at least eight villages in eastern and north-eastern rural As-Sweida, reportedly killing civilians inside their homes and kidnapping a number of women and children. The United Nations have strongly condemned this terrorist attack.

To date, some 10,064 individuals, including many women and children, were evacuated to Idleb. The United Nations are severely concerned for the well-being of those who were transported to Idleb given the volatile

1 An additional 153,160 IDPs were reached by Syria and Jordan-based partners under the first line response

www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Coordination Saves Lives Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5 security situation, the limited capacity of local humanitarian actors to scale up the response and the fact that the area is already overcrowded with hundreds of thousands of IDPs in need of assistance. The continued influx of people puts additional strains on already overburdened and underserved communities.

Medical staff and humanitarian workers who had been active in the area prior to the shifts in control reportedly have the option to ‘settle their security status’, in line with the provisions in previous local agreements. However, all NGOs that had previously provided services in the area have reportedly been dissolved. The dissolving of all local NGOs in formerly NSAG-controlled areas will result in a large capacity gap when it comes to the distribution of humanitarian assistance, and the loss of livelihoods for these NNGO workers. Despite the provisions put in place for medical workers, as per WHO information, the local health capacity in the area is rapidly declining and of an estimated 130 physicians who were working in NSAG-controlled areas before the escalation of conflict in mid-June, just 25 remain active. The United Nations reiterates its call for the safety and protection of local aid workers inside Syria, who risk their lives on a daily basis and work tirelessly to provide life-saving assistance to fellow Syrians in need in accordance with humanitarian principles.

The United Nations have received some reports of initial smaller-scale return movements of IDPs to their areas of origin in Qunaitra and Western Dar’a governorate and continue to work with partners and sources on the ground to confirm returns and IDP numbers. As of 1 August, up to nearly 184,000 individuals were estimated to remain displaced. The need for humanitarian assistance remains staggering, amidst the sustained suspension of most of the cross-border assistance and programming and prolonged periods of displacement, while access for the UN and INGOs from within Syria to the population of concern remains constrained. The United Nations is urgently appealing for immediate and unimpeded access to all people in need in south-west Syria.

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

Humanitarian Response

Food Security

Needs:  Needs remain in line with those reported in the last SitRep. 463,955 Response from Jordan-based partners: IDPs and members of  Same as last week, the Jordan-based partners reached 24,323 households the host community reached or an estimated 121,615 IDPs with the first line response (Ready to Eat with monthly food rations and Rations), and 41,075 households or an estimated 205,375 IDPs with wheat flour2 second line response (Monthly Food Rations by in kind or cash based response). In addition, between 5 – 15 July 17,935 households (89,675 IDPs) received bread assistance in Ajami, Hara, Jasim, Tabrayiat, Tell Shihab and Rafid. Response from Syria-based partners:  First Line Response: As of 31 July, WFP distributed 6,309 Ready to Eat Rations (benefiting an estimated 31,545 people) in As-Sweida, Dar’a (Izra, As, Sanaymyn, Dar’a city and the Jbab camp), Rural Damascus (Kisweh).  Second Line Response: As of 31 July, WFP distributed Monthly Food Rations with wheat flour to 51,716 households (benefiting an estimated 258,580 people) in several locations such as Abtaa, Da'el, East and West Ghariyeh, Sahwa, Kahil, Msferia, Karak, Ghasm, Um Walad, Jizeh, Nassib, Om Almayadah, Bushra-As- Sham, Elma, El Soura, Al Hrak, West and East Mleiha, Nahteh, Tell Shhab, Al Yadodah, Kharb Al Sham, Nawa, Dara Al Balad and As-Sanayman (Jbab camp). Gaps and Constraints:  The gaps and constraints as reported in the last situation report, remain still valid with particular concerns for access to the IDPs and host population of the Yarmouk valley and those in Qunaitra.  Livelihoods and agriculture activities were mostly suspended by sector partners due to high insecurity. However, conflict and displacement are likely to create additional needs for seasonal livelihoods in the communities in south-west Syria.  Tension and incidents in distribution points continue to be reported. The safety and security of humanitarian staff on the ground have been highlighted as a key concern by sector partners.  A lack of assessments, difficulties in tracking IDP figures, several informal settlements spreading out and overstretched capacity and resources as well as a shortage of fuel continue to pose challenges for partners.

Nutrition

Needs:  Screening and treatment of identified acute malnutrition cases of children 8,792 between 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women is required, as children under five well as infant and young feeding support and counselling services, years have been benefitting children between 0-24 months. collectively screened for malnutrition

2 258,580 people were reached from Syria-based partners in places previously served by Jordan hub under the second line response, and some 205,375 IDPs were reached by Jordan-based partners. An additional 153,160 IDPs were reached by Syria and Jordan-based partners under the first line response

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

 The influx of unsolicited and untargeted donations of infant formula is widespread, and proper control and monitoring of breastmilk substitute donations is a priority.  There is a need for blanket supplementary feeding, including Plumpy’Doz, high energy biscuits and micronutrient distribution, for children between 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women. Response from Jordan-based partners:  The rapid change in control patterns in south-west Syria has led to a suspension of nutrition activities in eastern Dar’a, and similarly the UN cross-border convoys remain suspended. Response from Syria-based partners:  UNICEF, in cooperation with the Department of Health Dar’a, supported three integrated health and nutrition Rapid Response Teams who provide out-patient medical consultations, vaccination, reproductive health and nutrition services. These interventions were in Jbab and newly accessible areas in western and eastern countryside of Dar’a and eastern countryside of Quneitra, including six IDPs collective shelters.  Health and Nutrition supplies were delivered to the Quneitra Department of Health and the National Hospital (Mamdouh Abazah Hospital).  During the reporting period, a total of 1,557 children under five years were screened for malnutrition and routine immunization of whom 20 were diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition and four with severe acute malnutrition. All identified malnutrition cases received appropriate treatment. Furthermore, a total of 4,500 out-patient medical consultations were provided for 295 pregnant women. Gaps and Constraints:  The nutrition activities of Jordan-based partners in eastern Dar’a have been suspended.  Syria-based partners are unable to reach beneficiaries beyond government-controlled areas, and suffer from funding constraints.

Shelter and NFIs Needs:  IDP families who are staying with host families are in need of NFI 112,608 assistance, including new born kits and children clothing kits. Recent beneficiaries assessments suggest that families remain in need of both shelter and NFI reached collectively to assistance even after they return to their areas of origin. date3  Shelter and NFI are particularly acute for Palestine refugees and hosting families affected by the developments in South-West Syria.  Further shelter repair is required at the Jbab IDP site. Response:  During the reporting period, Syria-based NFI sector partners have distributed 2,754 NFI kits. In addition, 2,605 children summer clothing kits, 200 new born kits, 1,000 mattresses, 6,000 blankets and 1,000 kitchen sets have also been distributed.  Syria-based Shelter sector partners have rehabilitated shelters, installed shelter kits and tents, benefiting 4,445 individuals during the reporting period.  Shelter and NFI activities through the Jordan hub have been suspended due to the current situation. Since the onset of this emergency, Jordan-based partners have reached a total of 93,000 individuals with shelter and NFI interventions.

3 Approx. 93,000 reached with a Shelter and NFI response from Jordan; and 19,608 from Syria

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

Gaps and Constraints:  Challenges with regards to the response from Damascus include a limited number of operational sector partners, limited access to south-west Syria, as well as funding restraints.  There is limited information available on the NFI and shelter needs in newly accessible areas.

Health Needs:  The rapid progression of the conflict has led to 95 per cent of the 94 health 60 tons facilities in South-West Syria shifting lines of control over a period of six of life-saving weeks. Support previously provided by cross-border partners now needs health materials shipped to to be organized through Damascus to ensure that basic services can date continue to function.  While in the interim period an increase in outreach services can address some of the health needs of the affected population, Primary Health Care facilities that that have seen a shift in control need to be re- vitalized. Essential services include immunization, reproductive health services, nutrition screening, and mental health and psycho-social support services.  The re-supply of life-saving and life-sustaining medicines and consumables to all functional health facilities remains essential to ensure a continued service delivery. The health facilities that still operate in formerly NSAG-controlled areas started to run low on buffer stocks of health commodities and supplies, particularly in Quneitra and western Dara’a. Response:  The Department of Health and health sector partners continue to extend basic health, reproductive health and nutrition services across the affected areas, primarily through mobile medical teams. Over 60 locations are currently covered, including camps, shelters, corridors, and locations in both the cities and the countryside.  Shipments of medical supplies sent from Damascus to accessible health facilities include nine tonnes of life- saving health supplies to Sweida National Hospital, with a total of 60 tonnes supplied to affected areas to date.  The terrorist attacks in Sweida City and the eastern countryside on 25 July resulted in over 240 deaths and many more injuries. MoH medical teams were dispatched from Damascus to lend additional support to the Sweida National Hospital, where 15 patients remain in the ICU and 38 persons underwent surgical procedures. Gaps and Constraints:  Access to affected populations, particularly in Qunaitra, remains a challenge due to security issues and required approvals.  Of an estimated 130 physicians who were present in NSAG-controlled areas before the onset of escalated conflict in mid-June, just 25 remain active at this time.

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

Protection

General Situation and Needs  The protection situation of the displaced and returning population remains of concern. Needs remain significant in light of the evolving situation on the ground. There is no improvement in humanitarian access to affected areas of Qunaitra that have recently shifted control for Damascus-based protection partners. Protection services previously provided by Amman-based actors are now overwhelmingly suspended.  The population in the collective sites previously hosting IDPs (Jbab and Rssas) is currently very limited (no IDP family displaced to Rssas during the reporting period and some 30 families in Jbab) and the demand for protection services of persons with specific needs has decreased. It remains high in all other rural areas, particularly in terms of psycho-social support, case management, risk education and legal assistance.  In rural areas of As-Sweida and Dar’a – where displacement still persist, along with return movements happening after shifts of control – services are lacking, as highlighted also by the local authorities. IDP mobility to reach out to the existing protection facilities in As-Sweida and Dar’a Governorates is often limited by the lack of official civil documentation or by security considerations, particularly for male and adolescent boys under 14 years of age.  The recent events in Sweida city and in its outskirts had a severe impact on the protection of civilians with scores killed and injured. Allegations of kidnapping of women and girls by extremist groups were also reported. This event triggered a sudden and fast displacement of hundreds of families. While several families have returned, many remain affected by the trauma of the event or of having lost family members.  The need for retrieving or obtaining personal documentation remains high, although it is hindered by the fact that facilities, including Civil Registrar Office, may be distant and freedom of movement for undocumented individuals may be limited. Therefore, mobile services and activities remain a critical response modality. Response from Damascus-based partners:  Protection actors continue to operate from a series of static facilities, including eight Community Centres, one Satellite Centre, four Child-Friendly Spaces, and three Women and Girls Safe Spaces. One Community Centre in Dar’a resumed its activities after a prolonged interruption due to the security situation and the proximity of the facility to the front line. Consultations immediately spiked after resumption of activities. From those facilities, particularly from Dar’a and Izra, mobile teams (protection, GBV/Reproductive health, Child Protection) depart to serve rural areas and the Jbab site.  During the past week, however, the incident in As-Sweida caused the suspension of some of the protection partners’ operations. Partners resumed their regular activities as of this week.  More than 1,200 individuals have benefitted from psycho-social support and awareness sessions on protection issues. This includes individuals that have been affected by the recent events in As-Sweida and surrounding areas, who were supported by the As-Sweida-based protection partners with various form of assistance including Psychological First Aid. Some 1,000 children have been targeted with recreational activities, psycho-social support, risk education and – to a lesser extent – case management, especially for unaccompanied and undocumented children. The activities in the collective IDP sites of Jbab have reduced as families left the sites. One child protection partner is also running child protection activities inside some schools in Dar’a attended by an increasing number of recently displaced children. Some 1,250 women and girls were reached with awareness and psycho-social support, including almost 700 by integrated GBV/ reproductive health mobile teams in Jbab, Izra, and Al Samamayn.  SARC legal teams conducted follow up visits to locations where they had previously provided legal awareness sessions in north Dar’a to follow up on some earlier cases. Some 105 individual legal counseling services have been provided and the needed supporting documents are being prepared for further legal support to the cases.

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

 Legal teams continued their legal intervention in Da’el area and started approaching the community in Yadudeh village. Some 90 administrative interventions were conducted and facilitated at the Civil Registry Office, including IDs issuing and birth registration, along with ten court interventions for marriage and lineage authentications. In addition, on a daily basis, a team of four lawyers and two outreach volunteers are present at the Dar’a Civil Registry office to follow up on the legal cases and help the beneficiaries to issue their documents.  Palestine refugees have returned to some of the previous camps in Dar’a and Muzaireb and UNRWA resumed its activities. UNRWA indicates that most of their installation/services in Dar’a are at least partially functioning in Muzireb, including summer camps in both locations, and assistance delivery. Assessment of the status of some facilities is planned in some areas that have recently shifted control in Dar’a. Response from Amman-based partners  The protection response provided by Amman-based partners has been overwhelmingly suspended. Gaps and Challenges  The distance between rural areas and urban/semi-urban areas, where most of the facilities and the services are located, challenges the ability of partners to provide services to all population in need. While mobile teams are activated, some partners would be in a position to increase such modality of interventions but are not always able to obtain the approval from the authorities.  The fast cycle of displacement and the rapid return of families to areas that have now shifted control cannot be followed by a swift expansion of programmes, due to long approval process.  For new partners in areas previously under the control of non-state actors, building the trust of the communities is of paramount importance to allow interventions to be successful.  Areas around Qunaitra remain severely underserved, with very few partners active in Khan Arnabe. There is still no capacity for Syria-based partners to access and reach IDPs close to the Golan area.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Needs:  A recent assessment completed by the water authorities and UNICEF in 363,087 Dar’a strongly suggests a need to offer safe water for drinking purposes beneficiaries through water trucking and the installation of storage tanks in Neimeh, reached to date with WASH Kahil, Sayda, Mseifra, Eastern Ghariyeh, Western Ghariyeh, Jizeh, Um emergency supplies and services Walad, Karak and Alma as an immediate life- saving interventions. Simultaneously, one to two bore holes in each town need to be rehabilitated to meet water needs of the host and IDP population in the medium term.  Revitalisation and effective monitoring of water trucking services from the private venders are also required.  There is a continued need to provide water disinfection products at household level to a possible prevent cross contamination of water and to avoid disease outbreaks. Response:  Daily water trucking services are being provided to an estimated 158,087 IDPs in 58 sites in Dar’a governorate.  Damascus-based partners have supported approximately 10,000 IDPs in Dar’a and Quaintra through the provision of latrines/bathing spaces, garbage containers, over 1,100 m3 of safe water through water trucking, installation of storage tanks and distribution of jerry cans and other critical hygiene supplies.  As part of UNICEF commitment to support in restoring and rehabilitation of 100 existing boreholes (of the total 400) in Dar’a, 50 submersible pumps and control panel have been delivered to the water authorities.

Syrian Arab Republic: Dara’a, Qunaitra, Sweida; Report No. 5

Some 22 boreholes have been rehabilitated along with 15 control panels and twelve submersible pumps in eastern rural Dar’a, benefitting approximately 110,000 individuals, both IDPs and members of the host community.  WASH partners have committed hygiene supplies and maintained stocks for approximately 25,000 families and are also ready to assist those in need in line with priority needs based on assessment findings.

Gaps and Constraints:  The suspension of cross-border operations has resulted the partial discontinuation of distribution of household disinfection products and a loss of local capacity.  There is limited access and a significant gap of funding which is required to facilitate a quick resumption of water trucking and repair of critical water boreholes to meet minimum services of both host population and IDPs to ensure social cohesion amongst the population.  There is a lack of clarity of IDP and returnee numbers which are required to plan immediate and life-saving WASH interventions.

Education Needs:  Needs remain in line with those reported in last week’s SitRep. Response: 3,350  An initial assessment by the Department of Education to 311 school in the Individuals have newly accessible areas is still ongoing. Several education interventions, as benefited to date from outlined in last week’s SitRep remain ongoing. education interventions Gaps and Constraints:  Due to the increasing military operations, many partners have suspended operations due to insecurity and staff displacement, particularly affecting UNICEF cross-border programme.

Logistics Needs:  Enhanced logistical coordination is needed to avoid duplication of response efforts and to find viable common solutions to bottlenecks and constraints. Due to increasing humanitarian needs, storage and transport capacity in southern Syria also need to be expanded. Response:  The logistics sector has been providing logistical coordination and information management support to organizations responding to the ongoing emergency. Free-to-user transport from inside Syria to affected areas in the south of the country is made available to requesting organizations, access permitting. Mobile Storage Units (MSUs), pallets, diesel, and other logistical assets can be made available to enhance warehousing space and logistical capacity.  As a service provision sector, the logistics sector will closely liaise with programmatic sectors and tailor its activities to fill logistical gaps and ensure the timely and effective delivery of assistance. Gaps and Constraints:  Warehouse space and transport capacity in the south of the country, as well as access, remain the major logistical constraints.

For further information, please contact: Sarah Muscroft, Head of OCHA Jordan, [email protected] Kristele Younes, Head of OCHA Syria, [email protected]

For more information, please visit www.unocha.org and www.reliefweb.int.