Syrian Arab Red Crescent

Operational Update
February 2014 HIGHLIGHTS
The SARC deliver more aids to communities
As we enter February 2014, the SARC operations in Syria continue unabated, which demonstrate that the access remains challenging but the current operation in Homs shows that there can be a space for humanitarian action. Throughout the country SARC teams work to meet the needs. A few new areas became accessible during the month, allowing limited aid to enter. Teams from SARC have been allowed to access several areas of unrest around the country and provide limited relief to citizens. The response ranged from first aid, relief and psycho-social support. Safe access was again at the top of agenda for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. A press release issued on the 10th of February called for immediate steps to be taken to protect healthcare and humanitarian personnel after one volunteer was injured and two trucks were damaged during the SARC operation to the old city of Homs. Key figures:

The old city of Homs has been under blockade for over two years. The last time SARC teams entered the old city was on the 7th of November 2012, when SARC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) teams were able to enter the city and distribute over 350 food parcels. The negotiations and discussions aiming to allow people to come out and assistance to go in to the old city of Homs started two months ago and a week before the Geneva II meetings. The negotiations were done between UN and the Syrian Government. On the 7th of February, the task of entering Homs started in cooperation with several UN offices, this after the parties had agreed to the conditions including a ceasefire.. SARC Homs branch teams immediately started preparing for receiving the people expected to leave the Old City of Homs. Yarmouk camp, in a suburb just south of Damascus city. In December 2012 and in the months since, armed conflict has started inside the camp. Between December 2012 and June 2013, civilians were still able to access UNRWA assistance at the Zahera entrance to Yarmouk. After that, it has been besieged and the humanitarian situation severely deteriorated. There were reports of malnutrition, mis-carriages due to lack of nutrition and a number of deaths, including infants. Yarmouk residents are running out of food and medical supplies with no or limited access to basic services; healthcare in particular. Barzeh, another area of concern for the SARC, has been out of reach for humanitarian assistance for over a year. On 8 February, SARC teams were finally able to deliver assistance to local residents.

For latest news and information about SARC, contact: SARC Communications Coordinator: Vivian Toumeh, email: info@sarc.sy; Tel: +963 11 332 7645. Or visit our website: www.sarc.sy

SARC Homs branch volunteers evacuating people from the old city of Homs. Photo: SARC Homs branch.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent Operational Update February 2014

Response in Homs The SARC Homs branch response to the Old City of Homs continued for six days from the 7 till 12 of February 2014. In total, 175 volunteers participated in this mission: 22 volunteers from shelter teams, 17 psycho-social support volunteers, 6 first aid volunteers, 17 distribution volunteers,, 8 volunteers from the medical care teams, 3 doctors 3 volunteers from the media committee and, 2 volunteers from the logistic team were deployed daily. The response was implemented in two phases: 1- Evacuation of people from the Old City of Homs. 2- Bringing in aid materials to the old city. 1- The evacuation process: The evacuation process was implemented during four days; 7-9-10-12 of February. Every day, a convoy of 3 vehicles, 2 mobile health units, 2 ambulances, two trucks, three SARC buses in addition to six buses supported by the IOM, headed to an agreed evacuation point (Lazania restaurant in al Waar neighbourhood together with the United Nations representatives from WFP, UNHCR, IOM, WHO, UNICEF and OCHA). A total of 1,266 people were evacuated from the Old City of Homs during these days. . SARC teams received the people who came out and provided them with 1,266 fruit parcels, 1,266 mineral water, 1,266 fruit juice, 434 sanitary napkins, 680 canned food, 1,266 blankets, 500 mattresses, 200 food parcels, 122 hygiene and 64 wheel chairs. All evacuees received medical consultations via the Mobile Health Units with the help of IOM doctors. First Aid teams took care of 30 injured; nine of them were further transferred to local hospitals, including a pregnant woman in need of surgery. In addition, they transferred 12 disabled persons to al-Andalus shelter. According to the government officials the people who have problems stayed in al-Andalus shelter until their situation is resolved. Other people were transferred to al-Waar area or to the city equally to their desire.
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2- Entering to the Old City of Homs with aid: Aid entered to the old city in two ways: 1- On 8 February, SARC Homs branch teams and UN partners entered the Old City of Homs with a convoy loaded with 250 food parcels, medicines for chronic diseases,190 hygiene kits, 30 boxes of water purification materials, boxes of peanut butter and 500 bags of flour. Security was a major concern: Despite the cease fire agreement, the convoy was hit by mortars in alHamadiyah neighbourhood and firearms injuring slightly one SARC driver. Two trucks were as well damaged and had to be left inside the old city. The mission ended in late evening under extremely challenging circumstances. 2- Aid materials were also delivered to the old city of Homs during the evacuation process. The teams managed to hand out 495 food parcels, 190 hygiene kits, medicines for chronic diseases, vaccines, 30 boxes of water purification materials and 245 bags of flour. This challenging mission was carried out in cooperation with United Nations representatives from WFP, UNHCR, IOM, WHO, UNICEF and OCHA.

Response in Barzeh: On 8 February, 36 SARC Damascus branch staff and volunteers distributed 1,500 food parcels, 5,000 blankets, 2,800 baby diapers, 400 elderly diapers, 3,008 sanitary napkins, 1,000 kitchen sets, 1,000 hygiene kits, 500 house cleaning tools, 1,000 bottles for keeping water, 3,000 kids hygiene kits, 3,000 clothes, 300 boxes of high

Syrian Arab Red Crescent Operational Update February 2014

energy biscuits, 2,000 plastic sheets and many other medical materials. As Barzeh is one of the besieged areas and has not been provided for at least one year.

Volunteers from SARC distribute aid materials to Barzeh residents. Photo: Muhannad al-Asadi/SARC Damascus branch.

In addition, the SARC Damascus branch teams brought 2,000 polio vaccines. SARC medical teams led the vaccination process for children inside Barzeh. The vaccinations were carried out without any incidents. Response in Yarmouk The SARC response to help the people in Yarmouk camp started on the 19th January and continued throughout February in cooperation with the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Volunteers from SARC evacuating people in need of medical care from Yarmouk camp. Photo: Mahmoud Qweder/SARC Damascus branch.

During a six day operation at the beginning of February, first aid teams of SARC Damascus Branch and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society took care of women, children and injured who came out from the besieged Yarmouk camp.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent Operational Update February 2014

Out of 14 attempts, 10 succeeded. SARC Damascus branch first aid teams ultimately were able to evacuate 1,526 people.

Relief materials distributed during the three responses

According to the numbers above around 11,000 people received aid materials during these responses and 2,792 people were evacuated. SARC position The SARC would like to thank all those who made these missions possible. The SARC is looking for more steps that predict well for more humanitarian aid to access more vulnerable people and toward more humanitarian achievements. The SARC also would like to be clear on the matters concerning its role: All parties to the conflict must meet their obligations under international humanitarian law and allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. The SARC and its international partners are ready to carry on any agreement reached by the parties providing that we are asked to do so and the agreement serves to lift the suffering from the suffering civilians and was within the principles that guides the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. The SARC believe that getting women and children out is not the best solution since it does not include all the civilians and it breaks the families and might lead to an escalation on the civilians left inside . The SARC ask all the parties to the conflict to announce their commitment to provide safe and unhindered access for aid and medical convoys to all places in Syria which will lead to separate the humanitarian file from the political file and help the humanitarian organizations carry on their mission to provide aid to the Syrians in need all over Syria.