Iraq, Syria
Emergency Response to Northern Iraq and Northern Syria
Japanese
©PWJ
©PWJ
©IVY
Discovering the Charms of the Colorful Syria
16th March 2021 20:00
Ten years have passed since the civil conflict in Syria broke out in March 2011. With the prolonged conflict, the new coronavirus pandemic, and the rising cost of living due to economic sanctions, the people of Syria are still struggling to make ends meet.
At JPF, we are providing health and nutrition assistance to internally displaced children in Syria. On 25 March, PARCIC, one of our member NGOs, will hold an online event for people to learn more about Syria. It will feature guest speakers with in-depth knowledge of the pre-conflict Syria sharing about the country’s charms.
Civil conflict and refugees are the words often associated with Syria, but these are only a few of the many words that can be used to describe this country. Before the conflict began, Syria was said to be a safer country than Japan. Many refer to the Syrian people’s warm hospitality as one of the definite appeals of the country; people are known to casually approach even strangers whom they met for the first time and invite them over for tea in their homes!
[25 March Online Event]
10 Years Since the Beginning of the Syrian Civil Conflict: Part 1 "My Favorite Syria: Deserts, Souks, and Farming Villages”
https://www.facebook.com/events/2932385600342214/
JPF Member NGO Distributing Supplies in Northern Syria
26th February 2021 16:00
In northern Syria, armed conflict has forced many people to flee their homes. Many houses, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures have been destroyed, including farmland that served as the means of livelihood for many. The spread of the new coronavirus has compounded the hardships people were already experiencing, leaving many people in dire straits.
A JPF member NGO distributed food kits and hygiene kits to the displaced people who are suffering from food shortage and do not have access to necessary hygiene items. The food kits included cooking oil, rice, canned sardines, and lentils, and the hygiene kits included toilet paper, menstrual products, and other everyday essentials.
*For security reasons, the names of organizations active in Syria and the names of their projects are not disclosed.
WASH Assistance in Syria
28th January 2021 14:00
A JPF member NGO implemented a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) project for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria.
Since the start of the civil conflict in Syria in 2011, many people have been forced to flee their homes, becoming IDPs. Many of the IDPs are forced to live in poor conditions that are overcrowded and lack WASH services.
A JPF member NGO is supporting to these displaced people in the IDP camps by providing safe drinking water, repairing and cleaning shared toilets, and providing hygiene kits. They are also collecting garbage that has been left uncollected and accumulated, which has become a breeding ground for bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, they conducted awareness-raising activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helped improve people's hygiene behavior.
*For security reasons, the names of organizations active in Syria and the names of their projects are not disclosed.
Providing Assistance to IDPs in Syria
22nd December 2020 17:00
Due to the civil conflict in Syria, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forced to live in unsanitary conditions.
This month, a JPF member NGO completed their project that they had begun in June to distribute hygiene kits and improve water supply. Through this project, 750 IDP households in need received kits containing hygiene items such as soap, sanitary napkins, and masks that meet the minimal needs for preventing the new coronavirus infection. In addition, safe water was also provided to help improve the hygiene and health conditions of the displaced people.
*For security reasons, the names of organizations active in Syria and the names of their projects are not disclosed.
JPF Member NGO Assisting Mothers and Children with Health and Nutrition
30th November 2020 18:00
In the areas within Syria where our project is targeted, humanitarian conditions have deteriorated to an extent where vulnerable populations such as internally displaced children, their caregivers, and pregnant women cannot access basic health and nutrition services. There has been a significant impact on this population, and children are suffering from acute malnutrition.
A JPF member NGO is providing emergency health and nutrition assistance for these vulnerable people. Their project involves nutritional counseling for pregnant and breastfeeding women and nutritional care for the children.
*For security reasons, the names of organizations active in Syria and the names of their projects are not disclosed.
JPF Member NGO Providing Assistance to IDPs
30th October 2020 23:50
JPF has been providing assistance to people in Syria who have been forced to flee their homes due to the heavy fighting.
Since many of the displaced people lack sufficient water and sanitation, JPF member NGOs are providing these internally displaced persons (IDPs) with the minimal hygiene kits and safe water necessary to live and also conducting hygiene awareness sessions. The hygiene kits include about 30 different types of hygiene items including soap, detergent, sanitary napkins, and toilet paper. The kits are being distributed while taking careful measures against the new coronavirus, and hygiene awareness sessions are also being held with small groups of people in ventilated spaces.
Through our support, JPF is contributing to the improvement of hygiene and health conditions of the displaced.
*For security reasons, the names of organizations and projects in Syria are not disclosed.
JPF NGO Providing Assistance in Syria
30th September 2020 4:30
JPF is working with our member NGOs to provide assistance to vulnerable people in Syria.
In Syria, where many people have been displaced by the violent armed conflict, JPF is distributing food, giving out hygiene kits for those who do not have access to hygiene products that can help maintain cleanliness, supporting health and nutrition for mothers and children to stay healthy, and providing water assistance to ensure access to safe water.
Emergency Assistance in Northern Iraq and Northern Syria in Progress
26th August 2020 21:00
Children stand in line for a distribution at Bardarash Refugee Camp, Iraq ©IVY
When the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria began in October 2019, many Syrian refugees fled to neighboring Iraq. JPF member NGOs with proven track records of humanitarian assistance in Iraq and Syria have provided emergency assistance in the Bardarash and Gawilan Refugee Camps in Iraq. Given the current situation in the region, this response program has been extended until 2 November 2020 and we are currently providing food, hygiene kits, and water to internally displaced persons in northern Syria.
Continued Emergency Response to Northern Iraq and Northern Syria
22nd July 2020 23:00
Setting up the gas stove ©IVY
When the Turkish military operation in northeast Syria began in October 2019, many Syrian refugees fled to neighboring Iraq. To date, Japan Platform (JPF) member NGOs Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) and IVY have provided emergency assistance to refugees in the Bardarash and Gawilan Refugee Camps in Iraq. IVY's support has helped residents who longed to "feed their families hot meals,” and in response to these mothers' voices, they distributed gas stove sets.
This program was scheduled to end in June, but given the local conditions, it was extended until November and is now being implemented within Syria.
Program Term Extended
14th May 2020 21:00
©IVY
JPF has been engaging in an emergency response to provide assistance for the Syrian refugees who fled to northern Iraq after being displaced by the Turkish Armed Forces’ operations in northern Syria on 9th October 2019. Given the current local conditions, we have decided to extend the program term until 2nd November 2020, with the program budget increased to 270 million yen. We will post updates on the projects for this program regularly on our website and social media.
IVY’s Relief Item Distribution: Making it possible for people to eat hot meals
28th April 2020 22:00
©IVY
©IVY
JPF has been providing emergency assistance for the Syrian refugees who have fled into Northern Iraq as a result of the Turkish military offensive that took place on 9th October 2019. JPF member NGO IVY has been distributing gas stoves and refilling gas, both of which are necessary for the people who live in the refugee camp to cook hot meals.
IVY Distributing Gas Stoves
17th March 2020 17:30
©IVY
JPF has been providing emergency assistance for the Syrian refugees who have fled into Northern Iraq as a result of the Turkish military offensive that took place on 9th October 2019. JPF member NGO IVY is implementing a core relief item (CRI) distribution project for the Syrian refugees who have newly arrived in Northern Iraq. IVY has been distributing gas stoves and refilling gas for them as well. It is our hope that living conditions become better so that families living in refugee camps can cook and eat hot meals.
JPF Member NGO Assistance Activities
29th February 2020 19:00
- Syrian refugees arriving in Bardarash Refugee Camp ©PWJ
On 7th November 2019, JPF launched its emergency assistance program for those displaced by the Turkish Armed Forces' operations in northern Syria on 9th October, including newly displaced persons within Syria as well as new Syrian refugees who have fled to Iraq.
Currently, JPF member NGOs IVY and Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) are engaging in core relief item (CRI) and water provision and also in operational assistance at Bardarash and Gawilan Refugee Camps in Iraq.
US-Iran Clash Casting a Shadow Over Refugee Assistance
10th January 2020 17:02
JPF member NGO IVY is currently providing assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Iraq. This week, the city of Erbil, where IVY's Iraq office is located, was just targeted for Iran's retaliation attack on the U.S. base there. Fortunately, IVY's staff were safe, but there still remains concerns that depending on how things may intensify in the coming days and weeks, their assistance work may be impacted.
Read IVY's account here: http://ivyivy.org/activity-news/8504/
IVY Distributing Core Relief Items
28th December 2019 12:00
On November 7, JPF decided to mobilize the emergency response for internally displaced persons within Syria as well as Syrian refugees fleeing into Iraq as a result of the Turkish military offensive in northern Syria on October 9. In December, JPF member NGO IVY has begun its emergency response in Northern Iraq to distribute core relief items to new Syrian refugees.
Read more about IVY's activities here: http://ivyivy.org/
On 7th November 2019, Japan Platform (JPF) decided to launch the emergency assistance program for those displaced by Turkish Armed Forces' operations in northern Syria, including the newly internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Syria and the new refugees who have fled to northern Iraq due to this conflict.
＜Overview＞
- Since the Turkish Armed Forces launched its military operations in northern Syrian on 9th October 2019, air raids and ground offensive against Kurdish forces continued in the border region. On 22nd October, an agreement was reached between Turkey and Russia that Kurdish forces retrieve from the border region, that Turkey controls Ras al-Ain and other parts of the border strip, and that Turkey and Russia jointly patrol the area. On 28th October, when this agreement took effect, Kurdish forces began to withdraw from the border to positions 30km into Syria*1, but sporadic attacks have continued to take place in Ras al-Ain and others.
- Since 9th October, over 108,000 people have newly become IDPs in Syria, including 45,000 children (as of 31st October) *2. Among the displaced, around 124,000 are living in host communities while around 14,000 have been accommodated at emergency shelters and IDP camps, both of which are using converted schools and other facilities. Because local infrastructure such as water stations and power plants have been damaged in the offensive and some major roads that would normally be used to transport goods have been closed down, UN agencies and others providing relief are distributing food, tents, winter items, water, and medical supplies for the IDPs. Uncertainty is expected to continue, and there are concerns that even more people will be displaced*3.
- Since 14th October, people who had no choice but to flee are arriving each day in the Syria-Iraq border region. 13,634 Syrian refugees have crossed into northern Iraq (as of 3rd November)*4, and they are transported to Bardarash and Domiz Camps in Ninawa Governorate. The Iraqi governorate authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs are providing shelter, daily essential items, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), food, and protection for the people in need. However, with the persistent influx of Syrian refugees, Bardarash Camp has reached its maximum capacity on 25th October, and authorities are now urgently setting up tents in the Gawilan Camp to be able to accept incoming refugees. There remains urgent need to secure new places to accept more people as they arrive, and to distribute daily essential items for the new arrivals including winter supplies.
- Under these circumstances, JPF has decided to implement food distribution, distribution of daily essential items (NFIs; non-food items), water assistance, and camp preparations and maintenance. Currently, JPF member NGOs with experience providing assistance in Syria and Iraq are considering assistance provision based on their expertise.
JPF will work with our member NGOs as we bring prompt emergency assistance that meets the needs on the ground. Further updates will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page.
*1 Al Jazeera, SDF Begins Withdrwal from Syria-Turkey Border (27th October 2019)
*2 UNOCHA Syria Flash Update #11, https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-flash-update-11-humanitarian-impact-military-operation-north (31st October 2019)
*3 UNHCR, UNHCR Syria Situation Report for the North East Syria Humanitarian Emergency As of 26 October 2019 (26th October 2019)
*4 UNHCR Inter-Agency Operational Update - Iraq, https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/unhcr-inter-agency-operational-update-iraq-3-november-2019 (3rd November 2019)
Program Overview
| Term | Maximum 6 months |
|---|---|
| Budget | 170 million yen (Government Subsidies) |
| Locations | Northern Iraq, Northern Syria |
| Content | Emergency assistance for IDPs in Syria and newly arrived Syrian refugees in Iraq |
