*This report is a product of the DEEP Remote Analysis Team comprising analysts and other professionals from Data Friendly Space (DFS). DFS wants to acknowledge the significant contributions of its staff to the analytical process, as well as their roles in the publication and finalisation of this report. The DEEP Remote Analysis Team has worked to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the findings presented herein. DFS appreciates the collaborative effort in bringing forth this comprehensive report, reflecting the combined expertise of all teams involved.
Priority geographical areas: In the northwest, residents interviewed by ATAA stated that 75% of the population in 18 sub-districts in Idlib and Aleppo governorates have been affected, notably the cities of Harem, Salqin, Sarmada, and Dana. In Government-controlled, OCHA reports 6 million people affected, including 2.04 million in Aleppo, 1.28 million in Hama, 1.21 million in Lattakia, 963,000 in Homs, 521,600 in Tartous and 27,000 in Idlib.
Priority needs: in both government-controlled areas and northwest include heavy machines for debris removal; medical supplies, including ambulances and medicine; shelter and non-food items, including heating; emergency food assistance and WASH. Fuel, machines and equipment for debris removal are urgently needed in northwest Syria, where only 5% of reported sites had been covered by search and rescue operations as of late 8 February according to the Civil Defense.
Priority affected groups: More than 298,000 people left their homes due to the earthquakes in Government-controlled areas
Shelter/NFIs: In the northwest, Violet organization estimated that 100% of buildings were damaged in Besnaya-Bseineh and Atma (Idlib governorate), 90% in Armanaz (Idlib) and Atareb (Aleppo), 80% in Sarmada, Dana, Termanin and Milis (Idlib), 75% in Jandairis (Aleppo). At least 11,000 families are homeless.
Health: Already strained health facilities are being overwhelmed by the number of casualties, with at least 5,252 injured people and 3,317 deaths across areas. Casualties numbers are expected to rise significantly. While medical structures in the region were already severely lacking before the earthquake, the largest two medical organizations in the area, UOSSM and SAMS, reported many of their facilities being out of service and evacuated.
WASH: In Lattakia, structural damage to water reservoirs and tanks are reported, with the Ghaniri reservoir threatening to burst in a residential area. Access to WASH in north-west Syria is extremely challenging, with a significant internal displacement wave expected from communities to camps.
Response: Humanitarian aid was finally allowed to enter northwest Syria through Bab al-Salama, al-Rai and Bab al-Hawa border crossing points. However, no earthquake-related aid reached the area yet.
