Syria Updat

SYRIA DISTRIBUTIONSTANDING WITH THE MOTHERS & CHILDREN OF SYRIA

ISLAMICRELIEF

CANADA

SYRIA SITUATION RESPONSE IN LEBANONThe same scenario has been replaying itself in Syria since May 2011, with international pressure on neighbouring countires, they have been accepting Syrian refugees from the start of the hostilities. The UNHCR has noted that most of the displaced are women and children and over 50% are under the age of 18 years. Another feature of the refugees escaping has been split families with the breadwinner (often the farther) unable to flee.

The killing and wounding hasn’t ceased either, in what the Red Cross is now calling a full blown civil war. In Lebanon it was reported that a bomb was launced from the Syrian side targeting Al Heesha village in Wadi Khaled in Northern Lebanon. Sadly the bomb killed two women and injured two men. It is worth mentioning that the four Syrians, who were killed and injured fled to Lebanon for shelter and refuge.

Late on Saturday, 7th of July, Syrian state media announced that Syria’s military has begun large-scale military exercises involving missile tests and ground and air operations meant to test its readiness to respond to aggression. In turn, Syrian opposition activists said Sunday July 8th that Syrian forces pounded Aleppo and Deir Ezzour provinces as at least 35 people were killed on Sunday across the country, among them 17 civilians. Currently fierce fighting is underway in the heart of Damascus with reports today (July 18) that several members of the Syrian government were killed.

In Lebanon, Islamic Relief and partners are currently assisting more than 27,000 Syrian refugees: 60 per cent in the governorate of North Lebanon, 35 per cent in the Bekaa valley, and the remaining 5 per cent in and around Beirut. These refugees do not have freedom of movement in Lebanon, nor are they entitled to work. They are heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance and the generosity of the many local communities who have sheltered them for many months. Islamic Relief, in cooperation with Lebanon’s High Relief Commission (HRC), is providing the refugees with basic humanitarian assistance.

The lateset UNHCR figures state that the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has reached 26,000 not inlcuding those who haven’t registered. It is estimated that another 30,000 Syrian refugees are unregistered fearing the reach of the Syrian regime.

Most refugees have gathered in North Akkar, Bekaa valley, Saida and suburbs and Mount Lebanon residing mostly with host families. Islamic Relief has extended humanitarian assistance to host communities in Lebanon in an attempt to relieve the pressure on areas receiving large numbers of refugees. An additional 5,000 displaced Syrians were registered in June, bringing the total number of people registered in the North to 16,484 individuals (3,432 households).

Should conditions change, the response plan may eventually have to be readjusted.

The first three weeks of June witnessed more than a twofold increase in the number of newly arrived displaced Syrian families in Akkar compared with May. This rate has since fallen to 50 families per week. It is difficult to ascribe a reason for the fewer numbers in the past week as the conditions which have sparked arrivals have not abated. But some refugees report greater difficulty crossing the borders from the Syrian side.

UN observers in Syria described an attack on a village in the Hama region in which about 220 people were reported killed as part of a continuing Syrian air force operation. Opposition sources said about 220 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Tremseh when helicopter gunships and tanks attacked on Thursday, 12thof July, after which militiamen stormed the village and slaughtered families.Accounts from opposition activists cited a death toll in Tremseh ranging from over 100 to more than twice that – one of the bloodiest incidents in the 17-month uprising that Western powers say has left 17,000 dead.

Islamic Relief continued its efforts to increase its outreach to provide support and assistance to the displaced Syrians since the situation is becoming more precarious and uncertain. After finishing the OFID project, IR started executing and putting forth its efforts in the project that was funded by generous Candian donors.

The latest project’s name is “Supporting the displaced Syrians in Lebanon” that is targeting Syrian refugees in Wadi Khaled in North Lebanon, Bekaa

and Erssal casas and Saida and Al Eqleem in South Lebanon. The project includes distributing Food Items (FI) & Non Food Items (NFI) to approximately 7,351 beneficiaries.

As for the International NGOs that are also active in the humanitarian situation, HRC was not mandated to assist Syrian refugees in areas in Lebanon other than the North, however, after the meeting with at HRC office on the 9th of July and was attended by IR Head of Mission and IR Logistics & Support Officer, they were informed that HRC has been given the power to expand its work in all across Lebanon. Therefore, HRC will be the implementing partner on the Lebanese grounds in coordination with other local and international NGOs.

The items were distributed in Wadi Khaled Casa, Bekaa and Erssal Casa and South and Eqleem Al Kharoub and the total number of direct beneficiaries is 9,334 and the number of indirect beneficiaries who are Lebanese host families ranges between 600 to 700 families.

Islamic Relief’s Action

SYRIA SITUATION RESPONSE IN JORDANCurrent Humanitarian Situation

In July 11, Jordan announced that there are around 140,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, with only 31,879 feeling safe enough to register themselves with the UNHCR.

The majority of the refugees originate from Daraa, which for months was the epicentre of clashes and unrest, many of the refugees have settled in Ramtha, Northern Jordan.

The pressure on Jordan to meet the basic needs of the refugees has been pushed to the limit. While Jordan has been able to meet the food needs of the Syrian refugees, both the shelter needs of families and their medial needs have been neglected to detrimental and sometimes fatal levels. With injured children dying needlessly.

These are the areas that, with the support of our generous donors, we’ve been able to affect positive change, and save lives.

Islamic Relief’s has provided essential Non Food Items to families and cash assistance to female headed households (Primarily to pay for basic shelter). The number of families to benefit directly from this project has

been 1500 families, with an additional 7,500 indirect beneficiaries.

Islamic Relief has also helped hundreds of patients secure life saving operations.

With your support our teams will continue bring life saving treatment to the most needy, and ensure that the mothers and children of Syria aren’t forced to live on the streets looking through garbage for scraps to eat. Please continue to support Islamic Relief Syria Emergency Appeal.

WORKING FOR A SAFER WORLD

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