ReliefWeb

(Geneva/New York/Amman, 19 December 2012): Today in Geneva, the United Nations launched the 2013 Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP) and the Syria Regional Response Plan (SRRP). Spanning January 1 to end of June 2013, the plans to provide humanitarian assistance within and beyond Syria’s borders require $1.5 billion. Collectively they comprise the largest short term humanitarian appeal ever.

“This is the third version of the SHARP, and the fourth version of the SRRP, over the course of 2012,” remarked Radhouane Nouicer, the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria. “It is highly unusual for such plans to be revised so often, and it is indicative of the rapid developments on the ground and the dramatically deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country. The magnitude of this humanitarian crisis is indisputable,” he said.

The SHARP (for inside Syria) is seeking $519,627,047 to help an estimated four million people in Syria in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, including an estimated two million internally displaced people. The Plan encompasses 61 projects in ten sectors and covers all 14 governorates of Syria. “We are especially focusing on life saving interventions and aiming to help people who have become displaced, host families and communities, and the poor suffering from the multiple effects of the current events,” Mr. Nouicer said. The main life-saving needs outlined in the plan include food assistance, shelter, water and sanitation, nutrition and emergency medical services, cash assistance, basic services, and non-food items, such as mattresses and bedding, kitchen and hygiene sets, and clothes.

The conflict has become increasingly brutal and indiscriminate and has exacted a heavy toll. The number of people in need of assistance inside Syria has quadrupled from one million in March 2012 to four million in December.

“We have come a long way in a relatively short period of time and under a most difficult operating environment,” said Mr. Nouicer. “Aid is getting out there in Syria, even if not at the scale we would like to see. There are many challenges in terms of access, partnerships, fuel and funding. But we have found, and will continue to find, creative ways to reach more people, and alleviate some of the tremendous suffering they are enduring,” he said.

The Syria Regional Response Plan led by UNHCR was developed to provide protection and assistance to Syrian refugees and host countries. Currently there are over half a million Syrians registered or awaiting registration in neighbouring countries and North Africa.

For further information, please call:
OCHA-New York, pitta@un.org, Cell +1 917 442 1810
Jens Laerke, OCHA-Geneva, laerke@un.org, Cell +41 79 472 9750
Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-ROMENA, bunker@un.org, Cell 1 347 244 2106
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int.