Syrian kids in Lebanon, May 2014
According to the Syria Needs Analysis Project (SNAP) update of 2 October 2014, (also available in Arabic): “Winter will adversely impact millions of people from November 2014 through March 2015, particularly in areas where vulnerable communities will face severe winter conditions: northern Iraq, southern Turkey and mountainous areas of Lebanon. Indications are that agencies are delayed in their winter planning at the country-level and it is unlikely that needs will be met in time. Primary concerns are lack of available funding, along with limited common understanding of needs and vulnerabilities, and difficulties accessing to conflict-affected areas.”
The saddest thing is, as SNAP reminds us too, winter is one the most predictable aspects of the crises affecting Syria, Iraq, and the region; many will be affected by rain, snow, and cold temperatures from November 2014 through March 2015. Some of the mountainous areas along the Syria – Lebanon border can experience temperatures up to -15C degrees (no, that’s not a typo, it can get as cold as minus 15 degrees Celsius); similarly several regions just inside Turkey from Syria and along Iraq’s Eastern border in the north.
If your organisation needs any support, do get in touch. OC have prepared a winterisation package (Sept 2014). The Inter-Agency Regional Update of 5 September 2014 already mentions “Winterisation for more than 2.4 million vulnerable refugees including the distribution/ replacement of winter relief items, upgrades to shelter and seasonal cash allowances” as a key priority. Time is of the essence.
To get a quote, email: supplies [a] osmanconsulting.co.uk (replacing the spaces and ‘[a]’ with @ – edited to prevent spammers).
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