HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING IMPACT SITUATION REPORT

Situation analysis: The extensive rainfall experienced in North-West Syria recently has led to significant destruction, especially in the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps, further worsening the already dire living conditions for thousands of displaced individuals. Heavy rainfall renders the tents damp and uninhabitable, prompting displaced individuals to burn collected items such as nylon, wheels, clothes, boots, and slippers to stay warm, given the scarcity of fuel, which resulted in the unfortunate death of three children s reported by the health cluster. The storm has had widespread consequences, resulting in damage to residential homes, hospitals, roads, and some critical utilities. The Syrian Specialized Hospital in Afrin encountered rainwater leakage into its basement, emphasizing the broader impact of the storms on critical infrastructure beyond the numerous IDP camps. As winter persists, the situation remains dire, with the anticipation of further escalation of heavy rain in the upcoming days. Ongoing response efforts by humanitarian organizations and local authorities play a crucial role in delivering immediate relief and assistance to the affected population. In the aftermath of these destructive storms, both internal and external humanitarian agencies must mobilize support and resources to aid those impacted in northern Syria. Additionally, efforts should focus on restoring and strengthening infrastructure, particularly during this challenging season.

Impact:

Situation analysis: The extensive rainfall experienced in North-West Syria recently has led to significant destruction, especially in the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps, further worsening the already dire living conditions for thousands of displaced individuals. Heavy rainfall renders the tents damp and uninhabitable, prompting displaced individuals to burn collected items such as nylon, wheels, clothes, boots, and slippers to stay warm, given the scarcity of fuel, which resulted in the unfortunate death of three children s reported by the health cluster. The storm has had widespread consequences, resulting in damage to residential homes, hospitals, roads, and some critical utilities. The Syrian Specialized Hospital in Afrin encountered rainwater leakage into its basement, emphasizing the broader impact of the storms on critical infrastructure beyond the numerous IDP camps. As winter persists, the situation remains dire, with the anticipation of further escalation of heavy rain in the upcoming days. Ongoing response efforts by humanitarian organizations and local authorities play a crucial role in delivering immediate relief and assistance to the affected population. In the aftermath of these destructive storms, both internal and external humanitarian agencies must mobilize support and resources to aid those impacted in northern Syria. Additionally, efforts should focus on restoring and strengthening infrastructure, particularly during this challenging season.

Humanitarian needs:

As the persistent heavy rains persist, it is expected that humanitarian requirements will evolve and escalate throughout the NWS region. Based on field feedback, priority should be given to access safe shelter/tents (replacement, installation), with heat isolators ranking high to combat freezing temperatures and gravelling to ensure continouos access to sites and roads. The challenging conditions further extend humanitarian needs, emphasizing the demand for water storage tanks, septic tank emptying, sewer network and rainwater drainage, along with the essential provision of Non-Food Item (NFI) kits. Furthermore, it essenrial to offering shelter to families displaced by the storm and who have lost their homes, undertak efforts to repair and construct tents that suffered damage, or replacing them as necessary, conducting a thorough assessment of the lands where camps are situated, implementing changes to prevent reoccurrence of similar issues including proper site planning, distributing heating materials, such as fuel, that are safe for use, as opposed to materials like coal and pyrene that emit harmful substances leading to suffocation, and focusing on food security by increasing food rations during the winter season to ensure optimal nutritional conditions and prevent the onset of diseases. PIC

Challenges

* Wide geographical spread of camps and IDP sites, posing challenges for timely needs assessment and response. * Limited access to camps due to muddy roads, hindering those in need from reaching humanitarian aid and preventing continuity of essential services such as food distribuiton, water delivery, emptying of septic tanks, etc. * Inadequate site planning in the majority of camps across NWS, leading to recurring challenges observed each year. * Prompt replacement of tents, particularly for families lacking shelter and heating, is essential.