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Syria: Winterization update in north-west

At the Turkish Syrian border on 5 November 2019, Mark Cutts, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, reviews assistance, including winterization items, set to go into north-west Syria. Credit: OCHA Gaziantep

Needs in north-west Syria are considerable following increased hostilities earlier this year impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Priorities include the need for shelter, food and non-food items, water and sanitation, health, education and protection.

In October, the UN began its winterization campaign, providing winter clothes, blankets, heaters, stoves, heating fuel, mattresses, carpets and plastic sheeting to people who would otherwise not be prepared to face the cold winter months.

Some 900,000 people in north-west Syria are expected to benefit from winter assistance this year. However, there is a 40 per cent funding gap for the US$32 million needed to provide these essential items. Funding for the overall humanitarian response remains low, with the humanitarian response plan remaining only 52 per cent funded. 

The UN calls on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to allow for the winter response operation to be implemented with safe, unimpeded and sustained access to all in need.