Syria

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Some annual results (2018)

2750people received health care
16,500people were involved in community support activities
6,000children received winter clothes, shoes and thermal blankets

Global Peace Index

161/ 163

GPI Rank

Political Instability

Safety & Security

Ongoing Conflict

Source: Global Peace Index (2020)

Country Office

Syria

Syria operations are managed by the Regional Cordaid office located in Iraq:

Empire Royal City
Building No B8, House1
Gulan street, Bakhtyari Rd.
Erbil, Iraq

Country Director Iraq and Syria

José Xavier Salema

[email protected]

Cordaid in Syria

Cordaid provides support to the Syrian people through local partners. These are mainly the development arms of the Greek Catholic church and the Greek Orthodox Church (GOPA-DERD, Caritas, JRS) working on the ground.
We focus on first and second line humanitarian responses to people affected by the conflict in Syria. Our interventions include distribution of NFIs (Non Food Items), hygiene kits, and covering costs of urgent medical care for extremely vulnerable victims of war. We also support young Syrians in finding a job.

Where does Cordaid work?

In Syria, Cordaid supports projects by focusing on three governorates. In Damascus, Cordaid provides vocational training and business start up kits to young Syrians, engaging them to help revive the local economy.

In Latakia we local partners to distribute non-food items, and cover house rental and urgent medical needs of vulnerable IDPs.

In Aleppo we support local partners in providing daily hot meals to up to 10.000 vulnerable people.

17,5 Million

Population

Rural population

Urban population

3.7% annual

GDP growth

8.9 per 1,000

Mortality rate, neonatal

Source: worldbank.org

Current situation

As the Syrian crisis drags on, civilians continue to bear the brunt of a conflict marked by suffering and destruction. 13,5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 4,9 million trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over half of the population have been displaced since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, with the majority of people forced to flee several times (in some cases as many as 25 times) due to shifting front lines and difficulties in accessing cash, food and lack of shelters, water and sanitation facilities.

Children and youth comprise more than half of the displaced, and half of those in need of humanitarian assistance. At the start of military operations to gain control of Ar-Raqqa city, the situation has further deteriorated. By then, an estimated 50,00-100,000 people were still trapped inside the city.

Parties to the conflict act with impunity, committing violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, frequently denying the access of humanitarian assistance in certain areas, or blocking urgent medical evacuations. Civilians living in locations, urgently in need of humanitarian assistance are denied their basic rights, including freedom of movement and access to adequate food, water and health care.

Cordaid in Syria

In 2018, the security for many Syrians improved despite areas in the country with continued heavy fighting. The improved security situation resulted into a slight change in basic needs and in response to those changing needs, Cordaid closed its JRS operated food kitchens half way the year. By that time we had supported 14,367 people with nutritious meals in Aleppo. In addition, Cordaid also supported the assistance provided though sister organization Caritas Syria in Hassaké where 1,200 families (6,000 people) received food and NFIs and jointly with Caritas Syria, we responded to the Eastern Ghouta response after the heavy fighting caused many people to flee towards Damascus.

Because of the changing situation and needs of returning Syrians, Cordaid decided to expand its activities to health care, shelter rehabilitation, livelihood activities and distribution of winter NFIs. At the end of 2018, Cordaid implemented different projects in 3 areas: (rural) Aleppo, Homs, rural Damascus. On average 229 people per month received health care (consultations). Cordaid had supported 262 families (1,310 people) in the rehabilitation of their houses in Aleppo, Rural Damascus and Homs and 400 households were trained in reconstruction related skills (such as electrician, plumbing etc), benefitting 2,000 people. Cordaid also rehabilitated 2 schools, allowing children to return to school and 16,500 people were also involved in community support activities. 40 families received NFIs and as towards the end of 2018 winter in Aleppo proofed extremely harsh, 6,000 children received winter clothes, shoes and thermal blankets. Cordaid is working with several Syrian partners, providing life-saving support.

In 2019 Cordaid continued providing humanitarian assistance through local partners to the Syrian people in Aleppo, Homs, and Rural Damascus. We supported projects in the domain of protection, education, health, livelihood. They include household shelter repair, rehabilitation of schools and health centers, and distribution of cash. We also support our partners, including Caritas Syria, financially and provide technical expertise.

Cordaid Syria operations are managed by the Regional Office in Iraq. The process of registration in Syria is ongoing, aiming to have a strategic partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Partners and donors

In addition to Cordaid Mensen in Nood funding, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the main strategic partner. Cordaid is a member of the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA).

The DRA responds to major humanitarian crises in a timely and effective manner. The Alliance is a cooperation of 16 Dutch NGO’s and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Our main partners in Syria are the development arms of the Churches, mainly the Greek Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church (GOPA-DERD, Caritas…).