Syria Hub
2024-03 Factsheet - Syria Hub
March 2024
Rehabilitation of damaged in Rural Damascus - Beit Nayem credit: SIF.
Highlights
Shelter
Coordination
- 2024 HRP: In 2024, the HRP underwent a significant change by adopting a hybrid approach, combining both project-based and activity-based methodologies, with the latter being used within the HRP and amounting to 108M USD. By mid-February, 26 agencies submitted their plans, which were vetted by 7 March. The 2024 HRP saw remarkable engagement from local actors with 12 NNGOs submitting proposals alongside 11 INGOs and 3 UN agencies and the total value of the project based appeal amounting to 80M USD.
- SHF 1st Standard Allocation: At the end of Q1 2024, preparations commenced for the first standard SHF allocation with a value of 25M USD. Sector coordinators consulted with stakeholders to identify two strategic priorities:
- Strengthen basic service delivery to the most vulnerable populations in underserved locations. For the shelter sector, activities related to camp sittings, collective centers, and rental assistance are included.
- Build resilience of the most vulnerable communities through services and livelihood opportunities in areas of highest severity. For the shelter sector, household level activities related to damaged house with an emphasis on PWSN are included.
- Streamlined Approval Process: The shelter sector continues to adhere to the approval process and procedures developed in conjunction with GoS and sector stakeholders at the end of 20223 and trialed in 2023 to obtain official approval for shelter projects. This process develops shelter plans based on partner capacity and governorate identified needs. Through this process the shelter sector engages with authorities at both national and sub-national levels in collaboration with partners. In early February the shelter sector shared the plans with the line ministry and continues to follow up to obtain official approval.
NFI
Coordination
HRP 2024: In 2024, the HRP underwent a significant change by adopting a hybrid approach, combining both project-based and activity-based methodologies. By mid-February, 17 agencies submitted their plans, which were vetted by 7 March. The core NFI activities remain unchanged, with emphasis on the provision of both core and winter NFIs.
▪ SHF 1st Standard Allocation: At the end of Q1 2024, preparations commenced for the first standard SHF allocation with a value of 25M USD. Sector coordinators consulted with stakeholders to identify two strategic priorities of which NFI sector partners will submit proposals against the first.
▪ Strategic Priority 1 focusses on underserved areas. This priority aims to deliver critical winter supplies and lifesaving aid to the most vulnerable populations in areas with limited access to basic services. These areas are often affected by crisis, displacement, or natural disasters. Activities will prioritize assistance to people living in last resort sites (camps, settlements, collective centers), households and communities affected by conflict and tensions in southern Syria (Sweida & Dar’a), households and communities displaced by conflict (DeZ and North Syria), and vulnerable households still impacted by the 2023 earthquakes.
NFI
Shelter
Need analysis
Shelter
Coordination
- 2024 HRP: In 2024, the HRP underwent a significant change by adopting a hybrid approach, combining both project-based and activity-based methodologies, with the latter being used within the HRP and amounting to 108M USD. By mid-February, 26 agencies submitted their plans, which were vetted by 7 March. The 2024 HRP saw remarkable engagement from local actors with 12 NNGOs submitting proposals alongside 11 INGOs and 3 UN agencies and the total value of the project based appeal amounting to 80M USD.
- SHF 1st Standard Allocation: At the end of Q1 2024, preparations commenced for the first standard SHF allocation with a value of 25M USD. Sector coordinators consulted with stakeholders to identify two strategic priorities:
- Strengthen basic service delivery to the most vulnerable populations in underserved locations. For the shelter sector, activities related to camp sittings, collective centers, and rental assistance are included.
- Build resilience of the most vulnerable communities through services and livelihood opportunities in areas of highest severity. For the shelter sector, household level activities related to damaged house with an emphasis on PWSN are included.
- Streamlined Approval Process: The shelter sector continues to adhere to the approval process and procedures developed in conjunction with GoS and sector stakeholders at the end of 20223 and trialed in 2023 to obtain official approval for shelter projects. This process develops shelter plans based on partner capacity and governorate identified needs. Through this process the shelter sector engages with authorities at both national and sub-national levels in collaboration with partners. In early February the shelter sector shared the plans with the line ministry and continues to follow up to obtain official approval.
Noon-food items
Coordination
- HRP 2024: In 2024, the HRP underwent a significant change by adopting a hybrid approach, combining both project-based and activity-based methodologies. By mid-February, 17 agencies submitted their plans, which were vetted by 7 March. The core NFI activities remain unchanged, with emphasis on the provision of both core and winter NFIs.
- SHF 1st Standard Allocation: At the end of Q1 2024, preparations commenced for the first standard SHF allocation with a value of 25M USD. Sector coordinators consulted with stakeholders to identify two strategic priorities of which NFI sector partners will submit proposals against the first.
- Strategic Priority 1 focusses on underserved areas. This priority aims to deliver critical winter supplies and lifesaving aid to the most vulnerable populations in areas with limited access to basic services. These areas are often affected by crisis, displacement, or natural disasters. Activities will prioritize assistance to people living in last resort sites (camps, settlements, collective centers), households and communities affected by conflict and tensions in southern Syria (Sweida & Dar’a), households and communities displaced by conflict (DeZ and North Syria), and vulnerable households still impacted by the 2023 earthquakes.
Response
Shelter
- Technical Guidelines: In Q1, three technical working groups (TWiGs) were formulated to review and enhance guidelines related to minor repair, rehabilitation of damaged houses, and to develop a new guidelines for the assessment and repair of structural damages. The TWiGs completed this task and shared the resulted documents with sector partners for inputs. The final guidelines will ensure consistent and harmonized rehabilitation/repair activities across the sector.
Noon-food items
- Core NFI Response: As of the end of the first quarter, sector partners reached over 4,508 vulnerable people with provision of Core NFIs across 6 Governorates, with Aleppo & Lattakia being the areas with highest coverage. The total funding requirement for Core NFI interventions in 2024 stands at USD 6.5M.
- Winter season 2023-24: As March marks the end of the winter season, the NFI sector is producing and will release an end of season winter report to highlight needs, response/achievements and gaps for 2023-24 winter season. While millions need help, only a fraction have received critical winter supplies due to a lack of resources.
- While 2.7 million people in Syria required winter assistance for the winter season of 23-24, only 5 million USD was secured, against a needed 76 million USD and just 305,365 (20%) unique individuals were reached, far short of the 1.2 million targeted.
As Funding shortfall leaves 70 million gap, urgent action is needed to improve coordination, secure funding, and prioritize aid to most vulnerable populations for the upcoming winter seasons. This will ensure lifesaving winter supplies reach those who need them most in the upcoming years.
Gaps / challenges
Shelter
- Significant economic decline coupled with price fluctuation has resulted in a decreasing scope and/or target of shelter projects.
- Diminishing coping capacities of both IDPs and host communities as well as limited financial resources of government and sector partners are leading to an increase in shelter needs.
Noon-food items
- The difficult economic conditions continue pose significant challenges to the sector partners particularly in planning and procuring.
- Access and safety continue to be challenges in some parts of the country as well as partner capacity and funding.
