HIGHLIGHTS
GoRF airstrikes begin on September 30; increase in conflict displaces thousands
USG partners help Syrians prepare for the winter season
13.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance
6.3 million Syrians remain food-insecure
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
The Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) and the Government of the Russian Federation (GoRF) began coordinating airstrikes across Syria on September 30. The UN reports that SARG and GoRF airstrikes, in addition to ground offensives, have displaced thousands of Syrians, including approximately 80,000 people in northern Syria’s Hamah and Idlib governorates in October. During an October 22 UN Security Council meeting, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Samantha Power condemned GoRF involvement, noting that GoRF actions are worsening humanitarian conditions in Syria.
Relief organizations in Syria and neighboring countries have prepared for the potential spread of cholera from Iraq, following the declaration of a confirmed outbreak in 16 of the 18 Iraqi governorates in mid-September. The Health and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) clusters—which coordinate humanitarian health and WASH activities, respectively, and comprise UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other relevant stakeholders—have procured a contingency supply of cholera treatment centers, trained health and WASH staff, and distributed chlorine tablets in preparation for a potential outbreak. Health organizations expect Syrian vulnerability to cholera to decline during the winter months.
U.S. Government (USG) partners plan to assist nearly 970,000 vulnerable people inside Syria to prepare for the winter season and mitigate cold weather-related risks during the 2015/2016 winter season. Partners are distributing winter relief items, including blankets, fuel, warm clothing, and shelter supplies to displaced populations across Syria, as well as to Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.