*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: The earthquakes severely affected Aleppo and Idlib governorates, and to a lesser extent Lattakia, Tartous, Homs and Hama.
Priority needs: Repairing damaged homes, MHPSS, NFIs, hygiene and dignity kits, food assistance, shelter, water, sanitation, food, cash assistance, and psychosocial support are considered the major priority needs.
Priority affected groups: 8.8 million people are affected across Syria, 6 million are in GoS-controlled areas, coming mostly from Aleppo. More than 360,000 people are displaced. Persons with chronic illnesses were the most common group with specific needs in affected locations, and access to aid was not considered to be adequate and tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.
Access: Safety concerns including explosive ordnance contamination limited the access of some communities.
Shelter/NFIs: 900,000 people identified as in urgent need of shelter and 509,000 people targeted across the country. The occupancy of collective shelters keeps increasing as well as the needs for NFIs, heaters and hot water considering the cold weather conditions.
Health: Seven hospitals and 145 health facilities have been damaged across Syria, with more than 10,200 injured people, mainly orthopedic trauma, with high risk of wound infection and tetanus. High needs of PSS. Activity of health centers hindered by damaged facilities and lack of resources and fuel. High risk of spread of waterborne diseases. 1,379 cases of moderate acute malnutrition and 548 severe acute malnutrition among children under 5 years old.
WASH: Significant damage to the water networks was reported, with 12 high water tanks damaged or affected in Government-held areas, with no repairs/rehabilitation due to lack of funding. Inability to sustain procurement of safe drinking water. Lack of WASH facilities and NFIs in collective shelters, along with the lack of water disinfection supplies, expose residents to infectious diseases. In Lattakia, a reservoir threatens to burst in a residential area.
Damaged WASH facilities and lack of running water in Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous. Risks of cholera have been highlighted due to contamination of water.
Protection: The availability and accessibility of protection services is a growing concern, particularly in overcrowded shelters. One of the main issues identified is the lack of privacy, which increases the risk of gender-based violence and the need for mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS). Elderly and disabled individuals are not receiving adequate assistance, and high levels of distress among children and families, as well as cases of GBV and sexual harassment, have been reported in shelters in Aleppo and Lattakia.
However, there is a lack of stress alleviating activities and specialized mental health services for children. There are also challenges in terms of accountability, with no trusted channels for feedback and complaints. Legal hotlines have been set up to help with the loss of identification documents.
Education: Up to 1,800 schools were damaged across Syria, 188 of which became non-operational with 21 teachers and 123 students killed by the earthquake. Nevertheless, students started attending classes gradually in the affected governorates.
Food: While the country was facing already harsh financial conditions prior to the earthquake, food prices keep rising and markets remain impacted by the earthquake.
Increase in the cost of wheat flour as well as bread availability shortage in Aleppo and Latakia.
Logistics: Electricity distributions and fuel shortages were reported, with no recent updates.
