IOM VISION

Building on IOM’s expertise in providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable, and recognizing the dynamic context within Syria, IOM will address humanitarian and recovery needs, and support efforts towards addressing protracted and sudden-onset displacement. IOM mainstreams protection, accountability to affected populations, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, and risk mitigation throughout all its programming while working closely with, and strengthening the capacity of, non-governmental organization partners. IOM will prioritise an integrated response that incorporates humanitarian, development and peace approaches to address the root causes of the crisis, promote durable solutions and meet the most urgent needs in crisis-affected communities.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

Nearly 12 years of conflict has left millions of Syrians in dire need of humanitarian assistance for their survival. In 2023, 15.3 million people, out of a total population of 22.1 million, are estimated to require humanitarian assistance, compared to 14.6 million people in 2022 (OCHA). The persisting conflict, compounded by economic hardships, has displaced more than 6.6 million people (as of November 2022, HNAP Mobility and Needs Monitoring (MNM). Two thirds of internally displaced people (IDPs) across Syria need access to livelihoods (68%) and basic services (67%), and more than half (55%) need food (HNAP, October 2022). The sheer number of those currently displaced, the growing number of newly displaced families, the lack of basic services, as well as the deepening health crisis highlights the sustained need for humanitarian assistance.

In NWS alone, more than 4.1 million people continue to rely on humanitarian assistance. Ninety-seven per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty and over 80 per cent of the population is food insecure (OCHA). The situation is likely to deteriorate further; already, the price of the standard food basket is at its highest ever recorded price (WFP).

Overburdened host communities and those who have returned to their (often destroyed) areas of origin continue to face significant challenges meeting their basic needs (HNO). Those living in camps and informal sites continue to endure extremely difficult living conditions, residing in tents or makeshift shelters that are often damaged, and overcrowded, with limited access to reliable shelter, basic WASH, and protection services. The situation is especially dire during the winter and rainy seasons, in a context where 93 per cent of tents are more than one year old, and 3.37 million people live in damaged shelters (HNO). WASH infrastructure is also severely inadequate, evidenced most recently by the ongoing cholera outbreak. In 2022, it was estimated that at least 70 per cent of sewage is untreated and at least half of the sewerage systems are not functional (OCHA). The health system is heavily overburdened – nearly half of public health care centres are not fully functional and there is a widespread health worker and supply shortage. This impacts the availability and quality of health services, especially for the most vulnerable, and impedes the response to disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 and cholera.

With conflict compounding high poverty and unemployment rates, it has become clear that the disruption in livelihoods is widespread. Only 53 per cent of men and 4 per cent of women in NWS have regular income. About one third of employed individuals work in the agricultural sector, which is regularly affected by droughts and high production costs. In addition, the median monthly salary for employed individuals is USD 71, which is far below the cost of the current survival minimum expenditure basket of USD 111.51 (UNDP, HNAP). According to community-level assessments conducted by IOM partners, IDPs mention the lack of job opportunities and of required skills to qualify for jobs as the primary reason for lacking a stable income. Women and persons with disabilities (PWD) reported facing additional barriers to access jobs, primarily due to cultural norms, household obligations, inadequate community infrastructure, and movement restrictions. The combination of economic stagnation and deterioration, widespread poverty, growing food insecurity, and lack of work opportunities or viable options for improved living conditions may compel households or individuals towards high-risk coping strategies that can cause severe harm. Practices such as early or child marriage may be seen as an avenue to reduce household pressure or as a means of protection; hazardous, obscure, work or travel opportunities that may normally be avoided, may be seen as the only economic option and can result in labour exploitation, child labour, sexual exploitation and various forms of sexual violence, extortion, debt bondage, practices similar to slavery, and a general increased vulnerability to violence and abuse.

Source: International Organization for Migration