In this issue
- Cross-border Humanitarian Assistance P. 1
- Cluster Response Progression P. 2
- Cluster Response Overview P. 2
- Humanitarian Pooled Fund P. 7
Cross-border Humanitarian Assistance Overview
Hostilities between the Government of Syria (GoS), its allies and non-state armed groups (NSAGs) intensified over the last quarter of 2015, impeding many key access routes throughout Syria. GoS forces launched fresh offensives, as its allies renewed aerial and ground military efforts, in many areas where humanitarian agencies are present.
Aleppo, northern Homs, northern Hama, and northern Lattakia: Since October 2015, GoS and allied forces have carried out a sustained, intense aerial campaign, together with ground offensives, predominantly in northern Homs, northern Hama, northern Lattakia and around the city of Aleppo. Systematic airstrikes and regular shelling in these areas have affected humanitarian assistance. NGO supported health facilities, education centers, bakeries, mills and grain storage facilities have been severely degraded or destroyed beyond repair along with other civilian objects including residential areas and public markets. Rapid gains by GoS and allied forces throughout Lattakia,
Idleb, Aleppo and Homs governorates led to waves of displacements with almost 200,000 people being displaced during the reporting period. The escalation of fighting in southern Aleppo and northern Hama during October and November was of notable importance during the reporting period accounting for the majority of the displacements.
Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, Hassakeh, and eastern Aleppo: Meanwhile, in ISIL-held territories, international coalition forces (CF) continued their air campaign around Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, Hassakeh and Aleppo governorates prompting more displacement and degradation of infrastructure. In addition to the CF airstrikes, a high volume of air strikes were also conducted by GoS and its allies against military targets as well as civilian infrastructure in ISIL territories. This damaged electrical infrastructure, curbed the trade in fuel and contributed to severe water shortages across the country.
From 01 October to 31 December 2015, the UN and its partners have sent 36 cross-border consignments from Turkey (12 from Bab al-Salam, 24 from Bab al-Hawa) to the Syrian Arab Republic under the terms of the UN Security Council resolution 2258, requiring the use of 1319 trucks. 1182 of these trucks crossed into Syria through Bab al-Hawa border crossing while the remaining 137 crossed from Bab al-Salam border crossing. Shipped humanitarian assistance included health/medical supplies for almost 2,286,800 people;
FSL assistance for about 1,999,722 people; shelter and NFIs for 220,476 people; WASH for over 190,181 people. The governorates with the highest number of partners and highest number of beneficiaries are Aleppo and Idleb followed by Hama, and Lattakia.
Overall, from 01 January to 31 December 2015, the UN and its partners sent 124 consignments from Turkey (34 from Bab al-Salam, 90 from Bab al-Hawa) to the Syrian Arab Republic under UNSC resolution 2191, requiring 3,919 trucks. 3,626 of these trucks used the Bab alHawa border crossing while the remaining 293 crossed from the Bab al-Salam border crossing. Shipped assistance included health supplies for 4,265,045 people; food aid for about 6,067,715 people; NFIs and shelter items for 725,423 people; and WASH supplies for over 587,839 people.
During the same period, the Turkish Red Crescent facilitated the crossing of 9,982 truckloads of humanitarian supplies from 95 NGOs and other actors with a total value of approximately 418 million Turkish Lira (US$143 million) using eight border crossings along the Turkish-Syrian border.1 These supplies consisted of items for FSL (44%), Shelter (5%), NFI (28%), Health (16%), WASH (5%), Education (1%) and Logistics (0.5%).