Development and Peace

Published purpose

September 2013 - The humanitarian situation in Syria has rapidly deteriorated over the past year as a result of the civil war in the country. The United Nations estimates that 100,000 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands more wounded, due to the violence. Within Syria, some 6.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, 4.25 million of whom are internally displaced. In addition, more than 2 million Syrian refugees are living in host countries in the region. By the end of 2013, the United Nations estimates that 10 million people in Syria will need humanitarian assistance and a further 3.55 million refugees from Syria will have fled to host countries, where resources are increasingly overstretched by the influx of people needing assistance. With DFATD’s support, Development and Peace is providing 60,000 Syrian refugees (registered and unregistered) and vulnerable Lebanese host families in the Northern Lebanon, Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon regions with access to primary health care services through four mobile clinics and six health centres. The mobile clinics tour the regions where Syrian refugees are located to provide nursing care services, medical consultations, and drug dispensing. The project aims to help children in particular, as they are at high risk of contracting diarrheal diseases, measles, and acute respiratory diseases. It tackles the mental health needs of the refugees by providing psychological support for children who face significant trauma. Special attention is given to pregnant women through close monitoring and follow-up. Project activities include: distributing hygiene kits and first aid kits to beneficiaries to help prevent epidemics; and developing and distributing a community health manual to build community awareness of health issues and good practices.