ReliefWeb

Current situation in North-West Syria

The number of displaced people continues to rise: since 1 December, more than 948,000 people have been displaced in north-west Syria as a consequence of the latest escalation in conflict. People are massing in overcrowded areas close to the Turkey-Syria border, particularly Dana and Maaret Tamsrin in Aleppo and A’zaz and Afrin in Idleb. It is estimated that 81% of the displaced are women and children. Some 10% of the new IDPs are living in open areas and under trees.

In the last few weeks, freezing temperatures, rain and snow have exacerbated the already dire living conditions of IDPs. It continues to be arduous to get fuel for heating because of its rising prices and general unavailability. The devaluation of the Syrian Pounds is also affecting the purchasing power of the affected population. The situation is particularly difficult for the IDPs living in substandard buildings, tents and makeshift shelters.

Shelter/NFI Needs

Thousands of families are seeking safe places to shelter across a wide geographical area that has been suffered from inclement winter weather in the last few months.

The Shelter/NFI Cluster estimates that 385,000 new IDPs are in need of emergency shelter (of which 33,000 were assisted in January).

Finding land and obtaining authorization to extend or establish new camps is one of the main challenges that humanitarian actors face in the current situation.

Moreover, humanitarian actors are reporting depletion of their NFIs and tents stock requesting items from the Contingency Stock managed by IOM almost on a daily basis.