Syrian Refugees

Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Egypt

Humanitarian Situation

Updated March 2013
Covering the period 1 January through 30 June 2013, which corresponds to the United Nations Syria Regional Response Plan 4

The deepening crisis in Syria is having a significant impact on neighbouring countries. More than one million people have been forced to flee to due to violence and the degradation of basic services. By early March over one million people¹ were registered or awaiting registration in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey as well as Egypt.  It is estimated that 7,000 refugees arrive in the region on average every day. With the number of people in need growing almost exponentially, the refugee caseloads projected for the end of June have already been reached in four out of five countries, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq.  Such large-scale displacement is resulting in overcrowded shelters, and host communities’ capacity to absorb the displaced has been overstretched.  Additionally, most displaced persons encounter numerous challenges in their new environments, whether in camps or within host communities, including food insecurity, increased risk of disease and protection concerns.

More than half of the displaced are children. The ongoing conflict and disruption of services in Syria means that refugee children are missing out on school and rounds of essential immunization in addition to being under significant physical and psychological stress. Many display symptoms of emotional distress, including anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, withdrawal, and violence. Moreover, the risk of disease outbreaks in camps is aggravated by the cold temperatures during the winter season, when children become more vulnerable to acute respiratory infections, influenza and pneumonia. Most refugees are in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, half of whom are children. Syrian refugees in Lebanon account for more than thirty per cent of registered refugees and those pending registration in the region, 332,000, as of early March. As there are no refugee camps in the country, over half live in rented accommodation, approximately one third live with host families, and a small percentage live in collective shelters. Moreover, host communities, returnees and migrant populations are becoming more vulnerable due to overstretched resources including government services. These groups will require dedicated focus as part of upcoming planning and response processes. Jordan currently hosts another thirty per cent of the refugees in the region, more than 324,000 are registered and pending registration. As of early March, there were almost 150,000 registered refugees in Za’atari camp, of which an estimated 90,000 live in the camp. The camp is quickly reaching its full capacity of 100,000, while efforts are underway to open two additional camps. Like in other countries, the regular flow of refugees includes separated and unaccompanied children. Turkey is home to almost twenty per cent of registered Syrian refugees or over 185,000 as of early March, who live in 17 camps spread across eight provinces. Growing numbers of Syrians also continue to seek refuge in Iraq and Egypt. In Egypt, various civil society groups have established an active support network providing assistance, but they do not have sufficient capacity to assist and meet the needs of new arrivals.

Results for 2013

To respond to the needs of refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Egypt, UNICEF is scaling up support in 2013 reaching refugee populations as well as vulnerable populations affected by the crisis. Throughout the region the focus remains on providing children with continued access to school and psychosocial care, in addition to the necessary health and nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to prevent disease and malnutrition. In 2013, UNICEF’s support with water, sanitation and hygiene for vulnerable populations nearly doubled to more than 202,000 people benefiting.  In Jordan, in addition to 87,000 more people gaining access to safe water in 2013, more than 146,000 are supported with appropriately designed toilets and sanitation services.  More than 207,000 children, including Syrian refugee children and Palestinian children received life-saving vaccinations in Lebanon at the start of 2013.  An additional 31,000 children were enrolled in learning programmes in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey, continuing from efforts in 2012. There are currently more than 87,000 children with continued access to education.  Furthermore, over 39,000 children are benefiting from psychosocial support in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Under its winterization programme, 90,000 children received winter clothing in January. Efforts in Egypt focus on providing psychosocial services and access to community based education initiatives to Syrian refugee children. UNICEF’s January to June 2013 targets presented in this document reflect planning adjustments made in light of the fast changing context to address the increasing humanitarian needs. Funding requirements will be increased as part of the upcoming inter-agency revision of the Syria Regional Response Plan (RRP).

UNICEF funding requirements for 2013

UNICEF’s requirements in the sub-region are aligned with the United Nations Syria Regional Response Plan 4 (RRP4).  UNICEF is currently US$27,240,000 (21 per cent) funded out of the US$127,390,000 to fund activities from January to June 2013.  Against the funding appeal made in 2012 RRP3, UNICEF has received approximately US$71,000,000 (93 per cent) as of mid-December out of the US$76,270,000 requested. UNICEF gratefully acknowledges the contributions of donor partners to date.

In order to address the humanitarian needs of more than one million affected – more than half of whom are children – UNICEF requires flexible and early support, preferably at the regional level, to respond immediately and according to the evolving situation in each country.

¹ UNHCR, 6 March 2013