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World: Oxfam Emergencies updates: 26 February to 23 March 2015

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Source: Oxfam
Country: Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Vanuatu, World

Syria crisis

Syria's conflict has entered its fifth year and the overall impression of the crisis is depressing, with no end or possible solution in sight. Oxfam is part of a coalition of agencies which has released a report on the consequences of the armed conflict in Syria four years after the start of the crisis. The report ‘Failing Syria’ calls for immediate steps to effectively implement UN Security Council resolutions and to parties to the conflict in Syria to facilitate humanitarian access to all parts of the country, end attacks on humanitarian workers, and remove administrative barriers to aid. According to the report, 2014 has been the worst year for civilians since 2011, with 76 000 people killed out of an estimated total of at least 220 000 deaths over four years. Read our full press release.

Moreover, last week the #WithSyria coalition of 130 humanitarian and human rights organisations released satellite imagery showing that since March 2011, 83% of Syria’s lights have gone out over the last four years – plunging streets, homes, schools and hospitals into darkness, and gradually extinguishing hope. Vigils and shows of solidarity from Western Sahara to Niger, Zambia, Australia, and many other countries helped shed more attention on Syria, with citizens across the world calling on their governments to urgently take action to boost the humanitarian response, stop attacks on civilians and prioritize a political solution to the crisis with human rights at the heart. So far, 50,000 people have signed the petition carrying this message.

Oxfam continues its work in Syria, where we have recently signed our latest Memorandum with the Water Authority to enable us to continue working and implement various engineering projects. In Jordan, our technical design for extending the water networks into individual homes in Za’atari camp has been approved. This is effectively a general recognition that no one from Za’atari is going anywhere soon and that it is to all intents and purposes a city. We have also just received permission and funding to work outside the camp in Jordanian communities which are hosting large numbers of Syrians.

In Lebanon we continue to work in the North and in the informal tented settlements in Bekaa, where our Protection teams work around the clock providing information and practical support to help refugees get access to vital services (including legal and health). Engineering and health promotion work is largely currently focused on repairing storm damage from the winter. Public opinion in both Jordan and Lebanon is hardening towards refugees, whose situation becomes ever more difficult.


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