Syria - On 2 April, IOM reached approximately 10,000 people with lifesaving aid in Aleppo, Syria. In cooperation with partners, IOM teams deployed in the Al-Ansari, Al-Kallaseh and Al-Mohandiseen neighbourhoods of Aleppo distributed over 7,410 core relief packages, including blankets and floor mats, to displaced people and returnees.

More than 140,000 people have been registered in the newly accessible neighborhoods of Aleppo City, but nearly 46,000 people remain displaced in the west part of the city. A United Nations (UN) population profile exercise in 53 localities, covering 7,000 individuals, found that 40 percent of the families are female headed and 18 percent have at least one family member with a disability. Due to the damages in the basic civil infrastructure and residential structure, the needs of people inside Aleppo are huge. Shelter and winterization assistance are still vital until the end of cold season.

IOM teams in Aleppo have noted the needs are great among people returning to the city. Most individuals return with nothing, only to find their houses empty and often destroyed or inhabitable.

“I am on my own now after I lost my husband and son,” said Fatima, a 70-year-old returnee. “I have no breadwinner to help support my basic daily needs. I could not return and stay in my home without assistance.”

Since the beginning of 2017, IOM’s response in Aleppo has helped 79,574 people. Returnees and displaced people have been assisted by the direct distribution of 54,470 regular and winterization core relief items. Over 100,000 returned to East Aleppo from January to March 2017, according to IOM field partners.

IOM also distributed 500 sealing off kits to vulnerable returning families in three Aleppo neighbourhoods: Alsukari, Marjeh, and Al-Fardos. The kits help families improve their living conditions by making their shelter more complete and weather worthy. The kits were installed in collaboration with local partners.

IOM’s response in Aleppo is being implemented through funding contributions from the Government of Japan, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).

IOM’s local partners who assist in implementing on the ground in Aleppo are the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), Ahl Al Kheir and Al Ihsan.

For further information, please, contact IOM Syria, Maria Rumman, Tel: + 963 9333 11204, Email: mrumman@iom.int  or Shihab Al Kairawan, Tel: + 963 992299330, Email: salkairawan@iom.int.