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 Türkiye-Syria Earthquake - 11 March 2023

UNFPA Whole of Syria Situation Report #6: Türkiye-Syria Earthquake - 11 March 2023

Publication

In response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria in February, UNFPA and its partners are responding in both countries to save lives and reduce suffering. This situation report describes the UNFPA humanitarian response across Syria.

UNFPA and its partners are working to meet basic sexual and reproductive health needs and ensure that the minimum initial service package for sexual and reproductive health in crisis is available. UNFPA continues to prioritise the continuity of services, with a fundamental component of the response being the procurement of inter-agency reproductive health kits containing essential medical equipment, drugs, and consumables required for a life-saving, integrated response for sexual and reproductive health and for the prevention, risk mitigation and response to gender-based violence.

To date, a total of $8.3M has been committed to UNFPA’s earthquake response from UNFPA emergency funds, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Australia, the United Kingdom (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), and Norway to cover life saving SRH and GBV services, IARH kits, and dignity kits. This represents 33.6 percent of UNFPA's Whole of Syria earthquake appeal.

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IN THE AFTERMATH - Gender Considerations in Assessments of Syrian Regions Affected by the 2023 Earthquake "Executive Summary"

IN THE AFTERMATH - Gender Considerations in Assessments of Syrian Regions Affected by the 2023 Earthquake "Executive Summary"

Publication

On 6 February 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and multiple severe aftershocks struck Syria and Turkey, affecting multiple governorates including Idlib, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance throughout Syria.

For most Syrians, this earthquake only compounds existing suffering; 15 March marks 12 years since the start of the conflict which has caused massive displacement, economic collapse, and widespread violence. With approximately 1.9 million people living in around 1,430 camps or self-settled sites in the north-west of Syria (NWS), with 80 percent (1.5 million) being women and children. Syria remains the world's largest internal displacement crisis. The earthquakes have caused new internal displacement movements and at least 86,000 people were reportedly newly displaced since the earthquake happened.

In times of crisis, pre-existing gender inequality can be exacerbated, leading to discrimination, exploitation, and impacting an individual’s access to humanitarian, recovery and development assistance, and their access to human rights. Gender inequalities that existed prior to a crisis can exacerbate these differential impacts, making it even more important to incorporate a gender perspective into the response.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by crises in comparison to their male counterparts, including reduced life expectancies, maternal mortality and morbidity, and gender-based violence. Furthermore, when emergencies strike, the rights and choices of women and girls are far too often trampled on or side-lined. While gender inequality represents a major barrier to equitable access to humanitarian assistance and the protection of human rights, activities and approaches implemented during an emergency response are not neutral, and have the potential to either increase and reinforce existing inequalities or challenge them.

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IN THE AFTERMATH - Gender Considerations in Assessments of Syrian Regions Affected by the 2023 Earthquake

IN THE AFTERMATH - Gender Considerations in Assessments of Syrian Regions Affected by the 2023 Earthquake

Publication

On 6 February 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and multiple severe aftershocks struck Syria and Turkey, affecting multiple governorates including Idlib, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance throughout Syria.

For most Syrians, this earthquake only compounds existing suffering; 15 March marks 12 years since the start of the conflict which has caused massive displacement, economic collapse, and widespread violence. With approximately 1.9 million people living in around 1,430 camps or self-settled sites in the north-west of Syria (NWS), with 80 percent (1.5 million) being women and children. Syria remains the world's largest internal displacement crisis. The earthquakes have caused new internal displacement movements and at least 86,000 people were reportedly newly displaced since the earthquake happened.

In times of crisis, pre-existing gender inequality can be exacerbated, leading to discrimination, exploitation, and impacting an individual’s access to humanitarian, recovery and development assistance, and their access to human rights. Gender inequalities that existed prior to a crisis can exacerbate these differential impacts, making it even more important to incorporate a gender perspective into the response.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by crises in comparison to their male counterparts, including reduced life expectancies, maternal mortality and morbidity, and gender-based violence. Furthermore, when emergencies strike, the rights and choices of women and girls are far too often trampled on or side-lined. While gender inequality represents a major barrier to equitable access to humanitarian assistance and the protection of human rights, activities and approaches implemented during an emergency response are not neutral, and have the potential to either increase and reinforce existing inequalities or challenge them.

Full review

TÜRKIYE / SYRIA EARTHQUAKE WHOLE OF SYRIA SITUATIONAL REPORT #3

TÜRKIYE / SYRIA EARTHQUAKE WHOLE OF SYRIA SITUATIONAL REPORT #3

Publication

Ten days have passed following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye on 6 February, impacting the governorates of Idleb, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance throughout the country. While casualty figures are increasing every day, more than 5,800 fatalities have been reported across Syria as of February 12, most of which (more than 4,400) have been registered in the country’s north-west. Over 11,000 injuries have been reported.

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UNFPA Appeal for Earthquake Response across the Whole of Syria

UNFPA Appeal for Earthquake Response across the Whole of Syria

Publication

In response to two major earthquakes that hit areas of Türkiye and Syria on 6 February, causing mass destruction and significant loss of life, UNFPA is appealing for $24.8 million to meet the needs of women and girls and vulnerable populations in the whole of Syria.

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UNFPA APPEAL FOR THE EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE ACROSS THE WHOLE OF SYRIA

UNFPA APPEAL FOR THE EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE ACROSS THE WHOLE OF SYRIA

Publication

On 6 February, 2023, two major earthquakes with 7.8 and 7.6 magnitudes, respectively, hit areas of Türkiye and Syria, causing mass destruction of residential and public buildings, including hospitals, and significant loss of life. As of 9 February, more than 3,300 people have died and over 7,300 are injured — figures that are expected to increase significantly over the coming days as large numbers of people remain trapped under collapsed buildings. The full extent of the earthquake’s impact remains unclear, but the damage has been significant.

Idleb, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama governorates were severely impacted. Harsh weather conditions, including snowfall and freezing temperatures, have impeded emergency responses and the wellbeing of survivors. Lack of heavy machinery to remove rubble, especially in north-west Syria (NWS), has also complicated search and rescue efforts, and insufficient electricity and fuel have impacted services at hospitals and individuals’ ability to access health care and essential gender-based violence services. Damage to infrastructure has interrupted the delivery of basic social services including life-saving reproductive health services, putting the health and lives of pregnant women and their unborn babies as well as newborns at risk.

Women and girls, including pregnant and lactating women, are disproportionately affected by earthquakes and natural disasters, requiring tailored interventions to respond to their reproductive health needs and protection risks. As has been documented during assessments conducted by UNFPA throughout Syria, pre-existing vulnerabilities and inequalities affecting women and adolescent girls are expected to worsen, further exposing them to various forms of GBV. The disaster follows over a decade of crisis in Syria and compounds significant pre-existing humanitarian needs.

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TÜRKIYE / SYRIA EARTHQUAKE - WHOLE OF SYRIA SITUATIONAL REPORT #2

TÜRKIYE / SYRIA EARTHQUAKE - WHOLE OF SYRIA SITUATIONAL REPORT #2

Publication

One week has passed following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye on 6 February impacting the governorates of Idleb, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance throughout Syria. While casualty figures are increasing every day, more than 5,800 fatalities have been reported across Syria as of February 12, most of which (more than 4,400) have been registered in the country’s north-west. Over 10,000 injuries have been reported.

Full review

UNFPA Whole of Syria Situation Report #1: Türkiye-Syria Earthquake - 08 February 2023

UNFPA Whole of Syria Situation Report #1: Türkiye-Syria Earthquake - 08 February 2023

Publication

The devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February claimed thousands of lives, damaged and destroyed buildings and infrastructure, and require an immediate humanitarian response.

In this first UNFPA situation report covering the whole of Syria, priorities are articulated for immediate response to reduce suffering and save lives as search and rescue operations continue.  Across Syria, UNFPA is focused on providing essential psychosocial and GBV response services across all affected areas, and providing basic reproductive health services to meet the urgent needs through mobile health teams and static clinics.

There is an immediate need for psychological first aid and ongoing needs for the provision of psychosocial support, and if possible, referral for mental health services for those requiring more specialised services given the traumatic experiences. Essential needs for the immediate response include: reproductive health medical supplies, menstrual hygiene materials, winterised dignity kits, blankets, newborn items, winter clothing, tents and / or prefabricated structures to provide lifesaving SRH and GBV services. Fuel is also urgently needed to ensure continuation of critical service provision, particularly in health facilities.

Coordination and functioning referral systems are being scaled-up so that transit and reception areas for displaced persons can mitigate the risk of gender based violence. Humanitarian assistance also needs to ensure affected populations are protected against the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse as people are extremely vulnerable.

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UNFPA Regional Situation Report For the Syria Crisis — December 2022

UNFPA Regional Situation Report For the Syria Crisis — December 2022

Publication

As the year 2022 comes to an end, Syrians and host communities throughout the region prepare for another difficult year. People in need continue to face the escalating impact of a protracted humanitarian crisis, further complicated by a deteriorating economy, continuing hostilities, and chronic and emerging health threats, including an unrelenting pandemic and a worsening cholera outbreak.

The crisis region, which spans the Whole of Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, continues to face a multitude of challenges, particularly in light of the recurrent waves of COVID-19 infections that continue to exacerbate existing needs. A decade into this protracted crisis, people in need continue to endure the cumulative effects of years of instability, the risks of which are even higher now due to the ramifications of a far- reaching economic meltdown.

The Regional Situation Report for the Syria Crisis offers a bird’s eye view of UNFPA’s operations within the context of the Syria crisis. The report is prepared by the UNFPA Regional Humanitarian Hub for Syria and the Arab States in Amman, Jordan, and spans operations conducted by UNFPA offices in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, in addition to operations conducted inside Syria from Damascus and cross-border via Türkiye.

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UNFPA Regional Situation Report For the Syria Crisis - October 2022

UNFPA Regional Situation Report For the Syria Crisis - October 2022

Publication

As of October 2022, Syrians and host communities throughout the region continue to face the escalating impact of a protracted humanitarian crisis, further complicated by a deteriorating economy, continuing hostilities, and chronic and emerging health threats, including an unrelenting pandemic and a worsening cholera out break.

Full review

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