Syria: Palestine Refugees – Humanitarian Snapshot, February 2015 – UNRWA infographic

Syria: Palestine Refugees – Humanitarian Snapshot February 2015

In February 2015, Yarmouk and its surrounding areas continue to experience high levels of armed violence, which prevented distribution of humanitarian assistance by UNRWA. The Agency has not been able to complete a successful distribution since 6 December 2014. In addition, UNRWA has been unable to operate its temporary health point or provide residents with clean water and basic non-food items. The Agency continues to advocate for full, safe and uninterrupted access to Yarmouk and other areas that remain hard to reach or fully inaccessible. On 9 February, the Agency was able to visit Husseiniyeh for the first time in over 18 months. The visit constitutes an important first step in restoring UNRWA services, rehabilitating UNRWA facilities and in making the area habitable for returning civilians.

Humanitarian Response

CASH ASSISTANCE:

The first round of cash distribution for 2015 started on 18 January. Between 18 January and 28 February, the Agency provided 438,351 Palestine refugees (111,334 families) with cash assistance through 31 distribution points. This amounts to more than 10,400 beneficiaries per day. Cash assistance remains one of the most efficient forms of assistance, enabling refugee families to cover their basic needs such as food, bedding and rent. The Agency is able to assist up to 470,000 conflict-affected Palestine refugees (118,000 families) in Syria with each round of cash assistance. UNRWA financial reserves for this critical intervention are running dangerously low and funding for the cash programme will run out in March 2015.

FOOD ASSISTANCE:

In February, UNRWA distributed 59,876 food parcels to families in distribution centers in the Damascus area, Dera’a, Hama, Homs, Latakia, Aleppo and Sweida (Southern Syria). The Agency targets 460,000 Palestine refugees through its food assistance programme. Food insecurity remains one of the critical humanitarian concerns for Palestine refugees in Syria, with marked increases in negative coping mechanisms, such as reduced calorie intake. Recent market surveys indicate that the price of bread has risen by 50 per cent and rice by 20 per cent since May 2014, while household incomes remain extremely low or zero.

NON FOOD ITEM ASSISTANCE:

UNRWA distributed 4,872 blankets and 270 mattresses to collective centers in Rif Damascus and the Syria Field Office.

EDUCATION:

UNRWA provides primary education to over 46,000 Palestine refugee students in Syria in 48 UNRWA schools and 47 school building provided by the Ministry of Education. The Agency is currently providing 72 vocational courses, including online courses, to 1,817 students in 12 vocational training centres. UNRWA hopes to construct and open a new training centre in Latakia this year, subject to the security situation.

SHELTER ASSISTANCE:

UNRWA is housing 10,601 displaced Palestine refugees and Syrians (3,048 families) in 30 UNRWA and UNRWA-managed temporary collective centers in Damascus and its surrounding areas. In Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, the Agency supports 1,649 displaced persons (418 families) in UNRWA and non-UNRWA installations. In total, collective shelters across Syria are home to 143 newborn infants, 198 persons with disabilities and 1 unaccompanied child. Palestine refugees and Syrians in shelters are provided with food assistance and non-food items. As part of its winterization programme, the UNRWA Engineering Department raised all remaining tents in collective shelters off the ground by 15-20cm over the past month, to ensure adequate drainage in the event of further rain water and snow. UNRWA provides regular health and social services to refugees residing in collective centres and regularly conducts maintenance of washing, water supply, hygiene and sanitation systems.

WATER SANITATION & HYGIENE

UNRWA distributed 3,620 hygiene kits to refugees in collective centers in February, 2014. Each hygiene kit contains sufficient soap, shampoo, disinfectant, washing detergent and other sanitary items for a family of four for one month. UNRWA was unable to distribute hygiene kits to refugees in Yarmouk for the third consecutive month. UNRWA conducts regular maintenance, garbage collection, plumbing and sanitation works in all accessible facilities, camps and gatherings. UNRWA distributed 24,581 adult and baby diaper packs to displaced refugee families, in addition to 125 baby kits during the reporting period.

HEALTH:

UNRWA provides health services to approximately 480,000 Palestine refugees throughout Syria. This month, UNRWA health staff conducted 76,527 patient consultations in 14 health centers and 10 health points. In February, UNRWA participated in a nationwide hygiene awareness campaign, distributing 50,000 leaflets generously donated by UNICEF. An upgraded health centre was inaugurated in the Rukn Eddin area in Damascus, which offers refugees comprehensive health care, including dental services and maternal health services. The temporary health point in Yarmouk has not operated since December 2014 due to the intensification of violence in the area and resulting lack of access

http://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/syria-palestine-refugees-humanitarian-snapshot-february-2015