6 October 2024 – The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the US$ 5.5 million funding received from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to enhance its integrated multisectoral emergency response in Syria. The funding will enable WHO to continue delivering life-saving healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions of the country.
The support aims to reduce morbidity and mortality by ensuring access to essential health care, including advanced nutrition services, and by delivering health services to people in need in north-west Syria and north-east Syria, including sub-districts in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Dar’a, Deir-ez-Zor, Idleb and Lattakia.
“We are grateful for CERF’s continued support in addressing urgent health needs in Syria, particularly in this critical time where needs are increasing day-by-day” said Dr Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative to Syria. “The funding will enable WHO to restore and strengthen critical health care services and respond to severe malnutrition cases in the most hard-to-reach and underserved areas of the country.”
The funding will support an estimated 1.8 million people in prioritized areas, aiming to improve access to primary and secondary health care, bolster emergency referral systems – with a focus on children with malnutrition, provide essential supplies to nutrition stabilization centres and hospitals, and strengthen the capacity of local health care workers on mental health, gender-based violence, and communicable diseases.
“The greatest strength at WHO is our ability to reach people in need, no matter how remote or challenging the circumstances. We are thankful to CERF for enabling us to cover critical gaps in the healthcare system in north-west Syria, where we often must make painful decisions to prioritize the most vulnerable,” said Ms Rosa Crestani, Head of Office, WHO Gaziantep in Türkiye.
Through this generous contribution, WHO, in collaboration with local health authorities and NGOs, will address the immediate health needs of communities across Syria - including internally displaced persons, returnees, and other vulnerable group. This comprehensive response will save lives and help stabilize healthcare systems in the areas most affected by the ongoing conflict and the worsening situation in Syria.
Throughout WHO’s response, the funding will also be utilized to build local capacities through risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) activities and tackle sexual exploitation and abuse, helping to ensure that protection and accountability remain central to the humanitarian response.
