*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 and shelter are considered to be the major 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 34,400 families 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. More than 2,349 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.
WASH: Significant damage to the water networks reported, with 12 high water tanks damaged or affected in Government-held areas. In Lattakia, the Ghaniri reservoir threatens to burst in a residential area. Lack of WASH facilities in collective shelters in Lattakia and Tartous expose residents to infectious diseases. Damaged WASH facilities and lack of running water in Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartous. Risks of cholera have been highlighted due to contamination of water.
Protection: Protection services availability and accessibility is a growing issue, especially in overcrowded shelters. Lack of assistance to the elderly and disabled people. High levels of distress among children and families, GBV, sexual harassment and movement restrictions reported in shelters in Aleppo and Lattakia. Unavailability of trusted complaint and feedback channels and proper response was considered a challenge. Legal response hotlines are set to help with loss of identification documents as people in the affected governorates lost their identification and HLP documents.
Education: At least 1,941 schools were damaged, 40 of which were out of service with 21 teachers and 123 students killed by the earthquake. More than 535,000 children can’t resume their education until those schools are safe and ready. Nevertheless, students started attending classes gradually in the affected governorates.
Food: Food prices keep rising and markets remain impacted by the earthquake, notably in Aleppo. Lack of bread availability with infant formula is being distributed in collective shelters in Aleppo and depleting Damascus stocks by half. Negative coping strategies are adopted among the affected population.
Logistics: More than 12 hours of electricity outage per day and weak internet communication as well as significant fuel shortages are hampering the response. Mobile network stations are damaged and the Syrian Telecom are underway to restore the communication in Aleppo and Lattakia. Complications in receiving remittance in Aleppo force people to travel to Lattakia or Damascus
