Syria

SYRIA CRISIS shortage

ECHO FACTSHEET

Facts & Figures (as of 4/6/2014)

Estimated number of people affected by the crisis in need of humanitarian assistance: 9.3 million (UN OCHA - UN Agencies) Estimated number of internally displaced: 6.5 – 7.6 million (UNOCHA, UN Agencies and NGOs) Number of refugees registered & awaiting registration (UNHCR & GOT)  Lebanon: 1 087 814  Turkey: 761 297  Jordan: 599 408  Iraq: 225 409  Egypt & North Africa: 160 906

TOTAL : 2 834 834 Total European Union (Commission and Member States) funding to date: over € 2.8 billion (including €615 million from the EU humanitarian aid budget, approximately €700 million from other EU funding instruments and over €1.25 million in humanitarian assistance, provided by EU Member States).

European Commission – Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection B-1049 Brussels, Belgium Tel.: (+32 2) 295 44 00 Fax: (+32 2) 295 45 72 email: echo-info@ec.europa.eu Website: http://ec.europa.eu/echo

ECHO Factsheet – 4 June 2014

Key messages  With the conflict in Syria entering its fourth year and showing no signs of abating, the crisis has become the largest humanitarian and security disaster in the world. The humanitarian consequences have reached an unprecedented scale with an estimated 9.3 million people inside Syria needing assistance and a further 2.8 million forced to flee and find refuge in neighbouring countries. Over 160 000 have lost their lives in the conflict and many thousands more have been wounded. An entire generation of children has been exposed to war, violence and death, and has been deprived of basic freedoms, protection and education.  The EU, with its Member States, has led the international response with over €2.8 billion collectively mobilised for relief and recovery assistance to Syrians inside their country as well as to refugees and their host communities.  Through advocacy at the highest levels, the EU is calling for the respect of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the protection of civilians, especially children and women, and safety of humanitarian personnel. It also calls for the swift implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2139 on the humanitarian situation in Syria and in particular on all parties to the conflict to ensure safe, unhindered and immediate access to all people in need across conflict lines and borders. The EU continues to appeal for the prompt lifting of sieges throughout Syria and the implementation of "humanitarian pauses" by all sides to allow for unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and medical care to reach all people in need.

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Humanitarian situation and needs Humanitarian situation The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as violence intensifies and fighting continues throughout the country, with further risks of the conflict spilling over into neighbouring countries. According to the UN, the total number of people in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria has risen dramatically to 9.3 million people, up from 6.8 million in June 2013. Similarly, between 6.5 million and 7.6 million are estimated to be internally displaced persons. The Commission Humanitarian Aid department's (DG ECHO) partners highlight the extremely vulnerable situation of those in inaccessible areas under siege.

There are now over 2.8 million refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and North Africa with the numbers increasing on a daily basis.

There is also a growing concern for all refugees living in Syria (Palestinian, Iraqi, Afghan, Somali and Sudanese), whose vulnerability is rising. The conflict is increasingly implicating groups such as Kurds and Palestinians. There have been numerous fatalities among the Palestinian population and the humanitarian situation inside the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk is of utmost concern. According to

UNRWA, approximately 540 000 Palestinians are registered in Syria. Of these, around 270 000 have been displaced inside Syria and over 70 000 to other countries.

Major challenges The magnitude of humanitarian needs is overwhelming in all parts of the country. Treating and evacuating the wounded, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene, health, shelter and food assistance, are the main priorities. Protection remains central in the conflict, with very serious allegations of abuses reported against women and children, adding to the constant reports of indiscriminate killings and extra-judicial arrests and even the use of chemical weapons in 2013. Food prices continue to rise dramatically and the availability of food stocks in many parts of Syria is a growing concern. There are increasing reports that the populations in areas under siege are on the point of starvation.

Humanitarian access in Syria has become even more precarious and the situation is exacerbated by security issues and cumbersome administrative and operational restrictions. Prevention of delivery of essential medical supplies and equipment, particularly in opposition-controlled areas is persistent. According to the UN, access to both government and opposition areas in Syria has significantly dropped since midApril. As of mid-May WFP monthly food deliveries have considerably slowed down, reaching only about 22% of the planned 4.25 million people in comparison with 47% in mid-April. Besieged and hard to reach areas in particular represent a major reason of concern with a sharp decrease from 302 250 to 98 500 people reached. Around 3.5 million people are now estimated to be in need of assistance in hard to reach areas, an increase of 1 million since the beginning of 2014. Many of them have not been reached by aid in several months and food and medical services are urgently needed. Efforts are ongoing to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country, as well as in zones of active fighting. The situation in rural Damascus, Northern and Southern Syria is particularly difficult. Cross-line deliveries organized by United Nations agencies have on various occasions reached the areas of Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Deir-ez-Zor and Idlib. Also, in March, the first UN cross-border humanitarian convoy reached Syria from southern Turkey through the Nusaybin-Qamishli border point in north-east Syria. Assistance includes food supplies, blankets and mattresses, family kits, hygiene kits, medicines and medical supplies.

Assaults on humanitarian workers continued unabated with at least 50 humanitarian workers killed since 2011. Concerns about security and safety of humanitarian personnel and operations remain as high as ever in all parts of Syria, with ambulances and UN vehicles being attacked and humanitarian workers kidnapped.

Beyond the border, the security situation in both Lebanon and Iraq has further deteriorated over the past few weeks.

The number of refugees fleeing Syria rose more than four-fold during 2013 and has now reached over 2.8 million. This number continues to rise as hostilities grow inside the country and the sustained influx of Syrians is increasing the burden on host communities and fuelling tensions in some areas. Countries bordering Syria are approaching a dangerous saturation point, particularly Lebanon where there are over 1 million refugees. The influx of refugees into Jordan remains stable at around 300-600 persons per day and a total of almost 600 000 Syrian refuges has been registered as of 27 May. A third refugee camp in Jordan, the Azraq camp, officially opened on 30 April and has received almost 8 000 Syrian refugees to date. The facility, located about 100km east of Amman capital city, is designed to host up to 130 000 persons and will help ease pressure on the densely populated Zaatari camp, where more than 100 000 refugees currently reside. In Turkey, 220 117 Syrian refugees have been officially registered in 22 camps, as slight decrease from April. Turkish authorities and UNHCR report that this is due to voluntary returns and people leaving the camps to move to non-camp settings. The total number of Syrian refugees registered in Turkey stands at over 761 600 although Turkish authorities estimate that 900 000 actually reside in the country.

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It is estimated that by the end of 2013 the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) crisis became the largest in the world. In December 2013 the UN reported 6.5 million IDPs in the country, roughly 32% of the population. The majority of IDPs have been displaced several times and although first displacements were directly linked to violence and insecurity, as the conflict persists displacement is driven by families' needs.

IDPs are moving to be closer to areas where aid is distributed in order to access food air and other basic assistance.

In the area of health the long-lasting consequences of the conflict have left many without access to basic medical care. Reports estimate that since the start of the conflict some 200 000 Syrians have died from chronic illnesses due to lack of access to treatment and medicines, more than the estimated 162 000 people who have died as a direct result of warfare. The impact of the conflict on public health services has been severe and an estimated 50% of health workers have left the country. Of 91 public hospitals within Syria, 13% are non-functioning and 28% have been damaged.

The European Union's Humanitarian Response Funding The European Union and its Member States is the largest donor in the region with a total of over €2.8 billion mobilised to respond to humanitarian and development needs. This figure includes more than €1.25 billion in humanitarian assistance from Member States, €615 million from the Commission's humanitarian aid budget and approximately €700 million mobilised through other non-humanitarian EU instruments (e.g. for education, support to host communities and local societies). In-kind assistance has also been provided to Turkey and Jordan through the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

Coordination with humanitarian partners

DG ECHO is in regular and frequent contact with the main humanitarian actors (UN agencies, ICRC, NGO's) in both the field and in Brussels. The Commission is also actively assisting Member States with information and advice about the humanitarian situation on the ground. Through its network of humanitarian experts in the field, information can be provided rapidly and regularly.

DG ECHO hosted a meeting in Brussels on 7 May with key donors, the Directorate-General for Development & Cooperation, the UN Regional Coordinator, the UNHCR Regional Director and the UNDP Regional Coordinator. The aim of the meeting was to explore the way forward for the implementation of the inter-agency Comprehensive Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) which was finalised in early May. The Framework aims to maximise coordination and coherence of both humanitarian and development programmes and resources.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued on 22 May a third report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2139 (unanimously adopted on 22 February on the humanitarian situation in Syria. See Resolution). The Secretary-General stated that access to both government and opposition areas has dropped significantly compared to the previous March-April reporting period. Intense fighting and insecurity, combined with new administrative procedures put in place by Government authorities continue to delay and hamper the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Syria.

A sixth meeting of the High Level Group (HLG) on Humanitarian Challenges in Syria took place in Geneva, on 9 May, with the active involvement of the EU. The main purpose was to discuss issues of humanitarian access inside Syria and undertake further steps to ensure the rapid implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2139. The previous meeting was held on 1 April. In the same occasion, OCHA organised a briefing for the whole UN membership, with the participation of agencies at emergency director level, as well as of the Refugee Coordinator and the Resident Coordinator.

On 16 December 2013, the United Nations launched the largest appeal in its history with the revised Syrian Government Response Plan and Syrian Regional Response Plan. Calling for US$6.5 billion in total to provide humanitarian aid to Syria and neighbouring countries, both plans include unmet requirements from the previous versions. 

Revised Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP6): the sixth revision appeals for US$ 2.27 billion for 2014 and foresees continuing humanitarian needs and largescale displacement inside the country. Actual estimated beneficiary figures are: 9.3 million people in need, including 6.5 million displaced.

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Revised Syrian Regional Response Plan (RRP6: Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt): the sixth revision is based on projections of continuing humanitarian needs and large-scale displacement into neighbouring countries during 2014. The US$4.26 billion appeal is to provide help to both refugees and host communities. This latest appeal will support more than 100 partner organisations (UN agencies, national and international NGOs) who are working together to address the needs of Syrians.

As of 4 June, according to UNOCHA and UNHCR, SHARP6 has received USD 474 million and RRP6 USD1.2 billion, respectively, 20.8% and 28.1% of their total budget requirements.

Examples of DG ECHO funded relief projects The 50 000 refugees from Syria crossing the border into Lebanon every month must register with UNHCR in order to access aid. Registration can take several weeks and in the meantime families have to live off their savings and the little they have brought with them. DG ECHO is funding non-governmental organisations which focus, in particular, on providing assistance to newcomers.

Partners like the Danish Refugee Council, Medair, Handicap International and Solidarité distribute basic household items as well as food and shelter.

Photo: Jaco Klamer

Each day in the Syrian crisis brings more injuries to thousands of innocent people, with civilians being left with amputations and other horrific war wounds.

In Jordan, with its partner Handicap International, DG ECHO is helping provide emergency rehabilitation care, distribution of walking aids and supporting hospitals to treat wounded people.

About 230 000 people, mainly of Kurdish origin, have fled the violence inside Syria to the Kurdish region of Iraq. About 30% are hosted in camps, of which Domiz is by far the largest, and the remaining 70% are living in urban areas across the three Kurdish Governorates. Everyday life for these urban-dwelling refugees is often very difficult. DG ECHO is funding the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide vouchers for 1 200 households in urban settings in Duhok and Erbil, which are redeemable for shelter and water and sanitation materials.

The NRC will also distribute hygiene kits to 2 000 households.

Inside Syria, DG ECHO has contributed 9 500 000 to WHO to increase access to health care for the population affected by the Syrian crisis. The assistance includes supplies of essential and lifesaving medicines, trauma kits to health care facilities, support to infection control, training on non-communicable diseases, and vaccination of children against polio. As part of the Regional Response Strategy to the polio outbreak, five national polio immunization rounds have been completed in Syria, with over 2.91 million children vaccinated in government and opposition-controlled areas during the last round of March-April.

Turkey faces massive social and economic challenges from its support of roughly one million Syrian refugees. The Turkish Government has responded with great generosity setting up camps with high standards of assistance. DG ECHO has supported the camps through the distribution of tents and food, for more than 200 000 refugees. However, the important challenge that the humanitarian community faces now is responding to the needs of more than 800 000 refugees living outside the camps. Through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Danish Refugee Council and German Agro Action, DG ECHO has set up an emergency response programme covering the basic needs of the most vulnerable new arrivals during their first 6 months, e.g. single headed households, children and people with disabilities.

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6. Other information OVERVIEW OF EU HUMANITARIAN AND CIVIL PROTECTION RESPONSE TO DATE (FINANCIAL AND IN KIND, ON THE BASIS OF EDRIS– 2011 - 2014) EU Member States and DG ECHO contributions to unrest in Syria as indicated in EDRIS – 2011 – 2014 * Donor

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia France Finland Germany Greece Hungary Ireland*** Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden*** United Kingdom Total Member States (MS) EU** Total EU

Commitments in EDRIS

Details of in-kind assistance (2014)

Total (cash and in-kind)

Main items

8 175 000 € 18 435 898 € 295 874 € 165 403 € 2 539 945 € 59 144 943 € 1 159 806 € 41 087 863 € 28 318 552 € 300 149 861 € 200 000 € 504 653 € 16 100 000 € 30 501 928 € 93 000 € 34 754 € 13 268 097 € 50 000 € 64 985 286 € 2 900 134 € 160 000 € 306 456 € 190 000 € 150 000 € 10 827 533 € 84 436 191 € 567 277 607 € 1 251 458 784 € 615 000 000 € 1 866 458 784 €

105 000 €

105 000 € 105 000 €

* The most recently announced funding allocations by EU MS and pledges not yet recorded in EDRIS are not reflected above. ** This amount includes an allocation of €6 million for Iraqi refugees in Syria and €3.3 million for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. ***This amount includes MS contribution in response to the Syria crisis in Armenia and/or Egypt.

NB. The EU with Member States is the largest donor in the region with a total of over €2.8 billion mobilized to respond to humanitarian and development needs.

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