It has been seven years and the conflict in Syria continues. More than half of the population has been forcibly displaced from their homes, and many people have been displaced multiple times. The number of daily displacement remains high, with approximately 6200 newly displaced persons each day (HNO 2018). According to report by the UNHCR, it is estimated that 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Of these, 6.3 million are internally displaced, 12.8 million require health assistance, 5.8 million people are in acute need due to multiple displacements, exposure to hostilities, and limited access to basic goods and services, and 4.3 million in need of shelter intervention (UNHCR, 2017 report).  In addition, there are approximately 3 million people in need trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, where they are exposed to serious protection threats (OCHA 2017). Children and youth comprise more than half of the displaced, as well as half of those in need of critical humanitarian assistance.

While no large influxes of Syrian refugees across borders have currently been witnessed, an additional 570,000 Syrian refugees across the region have been registered in 2017 increasing the number of registered refugees from 4.8 million to 5.3 million (3RP- Regional Overview 2018-2019). The critical response for the refugee situation continues to fall primarily on the neighbouring countries in the region (mainly Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey) who continue to host a large number of registered refugees per capita. The already vulnerable and fragile context of the host community population is further exacerbated as one in three people in Lebanon is a refugee.  In Jordan, the ration is slightly higher (one in 12 people is a refugee) but the socio-economic pressure on the country is similar.  While some international efforts for a political settlement resulted in talks between various conflicted parties and the establishment of de-escalation zones, the direct impact on Syrians’ safety, protection and lives is still not clear.

Though the overall level of violence decreased in some areas of Syria (primarily those linked to de-escalation zones in southern Syria, northern Homs), violence escalated and or remained high elsewhere such as in Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir-Ez-Zour where fighting continues to inflict high civilian casualties. Cross- border operations in Syria have been ongoing since 2014, following the adoption of UN Security Resolution 2165. The UN conducts on average 4 cross border convoys a week. This has allowed access to UN agencies and implementing partners to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to affected persons.

SYR 181 – Humanitarian Response for People Affected by the Syria Conflict – updated

SYR181 Annex – Joint Logical Framework

SYR181-Annex-Budget-per-Requesting-Member-updated

The current crisis in Iraq began in June 2014, when militants of the Islamic State (ISIS) seized control of over one third of Iraq’s territory within a few weeks. Iraqi Security Forces, the Kurdish Peshmerga and various armed groups engaged in the fight against ISIS, and finally recaptured Ramadi in February 2016, Hīt in April 2016, Fallujah in June 2016, Mosul in July 2017, Tal Afar in August 2017 and Hawija in October 2017. The Government of Iraq announced the defeat of ISIS and regained full territorial control on 9 December.

With the major military operations coming to end, many people are now able to return to their homes, and previously experienced large-scale displacements are likely to be over by 2018. However, smaller scale movements are still expected resulting from the tension between the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, triggered by the referendum on Kurdish independence on 25 September 2017.

Background On 23 October 2017, the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) declared an alert in five of the country’s departments: Cortés, Yoro, Atlántida, Islas de La Bahía and Colón; the alert was declared in response to the arrival of the first cold front of the season, which brought heavy rains and prompted COPECO to raise the alert level for the departments of Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón at 5:00 pm on 24 October. That same day, the government declared a state of emergency due to the presence of the weather system in the departments of Cortés, Atlántida, Yoro, Colón, Islas de la Bahía and Gracias a Dios. The weather system brought heavy rainfall, which caused rivers and gorges to flood. As of 29 October 2017, a red alert was in effect for the departments Gracias a Dios, Yoro, Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón, while a yellow alert was in place for departments Olancho, Santa Bárbara and Francisco Morazán and a green alert for the departments of Copán, Comayagua, La Paz, Valle, Choluteca, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibucá and El Paraíso.

According to official data provided by COPECO, the flooding has had the following impact on Honduras:

• 10,564 affected households

• 50,770 affected persons

• 4876 evacuated households (24,691 persons)

• 25 persons rescued

• 1799 households in temporary shelters (9351 persons)

• 5012 damaged houses

• 13 totally destroyed houses.

Additionally, Tropical Depression Selma formed in the Pacific at the same time as a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic according to COPECO’s National Centre of Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies, producing moderate to strong rains, especially in the country’s south central and western parts.

According to data collected by COPECO in the affected communities, the floods has critically damaged main livelihoods and food stocks. The floods have affected the crops, forcing many of the affected families to change their diets and implement survival strategies; for example, affected farmers have begun selling their agricultural products at a very low cost, which will affect their income generation. Water distribution systems are affected and water is not safe for drinking. Lastly, due to deterioration of residual water and excreta management systems, the affected population is at risk to water and vector-borne diseases and other dangers to their health. There is urgent need of food, water and sanitation support and livelihood restoration.

The ACT Honduras Forum through its local member Mennonite Social Action Commission (CASM) by it´ Spanish acronym, is responding to this crisis by providing Food security, WASH and livelihood recovery to 1463 households. The target for this appeal is $109,875.04 USD to provide humanitarian relief.

The humanitarian crisis in the six states of the North-Eastern Nigeria has intensified after eight years of violent conflict. In 2016, this was compounded as the Nigeria Government Forces took back territory previously held by the Boko Haram insurgency. The conflict caused widespread forced displacement, acute food and nutrition insecurity and serious human rights violations. Since 2009, 14.8 million people in North-Eastern states of Nigeria have been affected by conflict. Violence caused by insurgency activities of Boko Haram and counter military operations have left widespread devastation to families, infrastructure and livelihoods within the region.

The latest needs assessment carried out in April 2017 by Christian Aid in coordination with the Humanitarian Clusters across Borno, including in Konduga Local Government Areas(LGA), focused on identifying key need gaps for vulnerable populations in the sectors of food security, WASH, NFIs and protection. There are approximately 4.2 million people in host communities and 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs); 54% of the affected population are female and 59% are children. With disrupted agricultural production, poor functioning markets and high food prices, most of the population are dependent on humanitarian assistance with an estimated 3.3 million people food insecure (IPC phase 3-5) with numbers expected to significantly deteriorate during the lean season. There is thus need for life saving support and activities to alleviate suffering through integrated and coordinated humanitarian response focussing on the most vulnerable people.

Christian Aid (CA) has been working in the North-East and Borno state for over 2 years. Ongoing humanitarian operations in Nigeria are being implemented directly by CA or via local partners. This proposed intervention to ACT Alliance will be directly implemented by CA and also through local partners with teams in Maiduguri and Konduga and through partners in Dikwa and Munguno LGAs.

In the evening of 12 November 2017, the Governorate of Halabja region, North-East of Iraq experienced an earthquake in the magnitude of approximately 7.2-7.5, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicentre of this earthquake is located 32kms from the city of Halabja. According to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), approximately 1,840,000 people live within 100km of the epicentre of this earthquake in both Iraq and Iran. Local experts seismologists in the area see potential occurrence of such shocks in the future as the area has entered into a new level of intensity, and therefore it is likely that future earthquakes will be of a same or higher magnitude.

There have been nine reported fatalities and over 550 people injured in Iraq as a result of the earthquake, according to the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). The Darbandikhan areas has been most severely impacted, with most earthquake related injuries reported in Darbandikhan, Halabja, and Garmyan districts. Many houses in the areas of Darbandikhan, Maidan, Qurato and Bamo have been damaged and/or destroyed. According to the KRG, damage to the infrastructure is most severe in Darbandikhan, where landslides have blocked the Darbandikhan tunnel, while work to clear and open the road is ongoing. The water and electricity network of Darbandikhan is also damaged and requires significant repair. The water treatment plant in Halabja is partially damaged and produces clean water at only 50% capacity.

According to the KRG, the situation is stabilizing; NGOs in the area are coordinating with each other on further actions and locations. ACT Alliance response is needed since a gap in adequate interventions will lead to affected people leaving the area as a consequence of bad living condition. This is a frequent effect of post-earthquake situation, when the response is either missing or inadequate. Right now, the proposed action comes at a point in time when the affected population is still willing to stay in the area, and rebuild their livelihoods with some humanitarian support.

On 23 October 2017, the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) declared an alert in five of the country’s departments: Cortés, Yoro, Atlántida, Islas de La Bahía and Colón; the alert was declared in response to the arrival of the first cold front of the season, which brought heavy rains and prompted COPECO to raise the alert level for the departments of Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón at 5:00 pm on 24 October. That same day, the government declared a state of emergency due to the presence of the weather system in the departments of Cortés, Atlántida, Yoro, Colón, Islas de la Bahía and Gracias a Dios. The weather system brought heavy rainfall, which caused rivers and gorges to flood. As of 29 October 2017, a red alert was in effect for the departments Gracias a Dios, Yoro, Islas de la Bahía, Cortés, Atlántida and Colón, while a yellow alert was in place for departments Olancho, Santa Bárbara and Francisco Morazán and a green alert for the departments of Copán, Comayagua, La Paz, Valle, Choluteca, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Intibucá and El Paraíso.

According to official data provided by COPECO, the flooding has had the following impact on Honduras:

• 10,564 affected households

• 50,770 affected persons

• 4876 evacuated households (24,691 persons)

• 25 persons rescued

• 1799 households in temporary shelters (9351 persons)

• 5012 damaged houses

• 13 totally destroyed houses.

Additionally, Tropical Depression Selma formed in the Pacific at the same time as a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic according to COPECO’s National Centre of Atmospheric, Oceanographic and Seismic Studies, producing moderate to strong rains, especially in the country’s south central and western parts.

After a month of the emergency there are still unmet needs among the affected population.  ACT Honduras Forum through its local member Mennonite Social Action Commission (CASM) by it´ Spanish acronym, are responding to this crisis by providing  Food security. 700 households will be benefited by this intervention.  The ACT Secretariat have approved the use of 35,257.00 USD  towards the budget from its Rapid Response, to provide humanitarian relief.

The Kasai Provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are experiencing one of the most severe crisis in the country’s history. Violent ethnic/tribal conflicts, fuelled by the violent death of the local tribal chief, Kamuina Nsapu and the subsequent calls amongst his followers to avenge his death, have resulted in an unprecedented massive population displacement. These were reported within and outside the 5 provinces of the Great Kasai, which includes Kasai, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Sankuru and Lomami. In June 2017, it was reported that 1.4 million people were forced to flee from their homes, escaping violence. About 33,132 people reportedly crossed the border to Angola. The situation in the Kasai provinces is a complex emergency. According to multi-sectorial needs assessments reports released by a number of humanitarian actors, including Christian Aid, UNICEF, UNOCHA, WAR Child UK and PRONANUT, 2.4 million people are directly affected and in need of multi-sector humanitarian assistance. According to UNICEF’s SitRep, about 1,185,600 children with their parents and 96,000 pregnant women are in need of humanitarian assistance: shelter, food, basic household equipment, education, health, protection, water and basic sanitation.

The ACT DRC Forum (Christian Aid, Lutheran World Federation, Church of Christ in Congo, and Ecumenical Office for Support to Development (BOAD)/The Salvation Army) is proposing an emergency response for 58,279 conflict affected persons in Kasai Region, amounting to $ 2,478,523. This response aims at contributing to save lives and increase the coping capacity of vulnerable populations affected by Kasai Crisis in DRC.

Tropical storm “Nate” formed on Thursday the 5^th of October in the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. The storm caused heavy rains and landslides throughout several countries in Central America. In Costa Rica, landslides caused significant damage to roads and villages, cutting off some areas.  According to the National Emergency Commission more than 11,517 persons are in 178 shelters around the nation after having to leave their homes because of flooding and the risk of unstable ground giving way. More than a dozen main roads were closed, while others were only partially open. In the province of Guanacaste, which has been particularly hard-hit by the heavy rains, many roads were impassable to all but four-wheel-drive vehicles and horses.

A highway that connects the south of the country was washed away in Casa Mata. At least 5,000 residents fled to emergency shelters there, according to the Associated Press. As much of the Costa Rica returns to normal, many communities are still isolated, others without water, and destruction caused by rains continues to be tallied and dealt with. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) on October 9, updated the status of different parts of the country. Much of Guanacaste and Puntarenas, on the country’s Pacific side, remain under red alert, and others have returned to low or no alert as rains have returned to normal rainy season levels.

The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency, and President Luis Guillermo Solís appealed to the international community for support.  The annual rainy season is currently underway in Central America; a five-month period typically ending in December in which the risk of flooding and mudslides are heightened. This year, some areas in the region, including Costa Rica, have gotten up to 50 percent more rain than average for the months of September and October.

ACT Costa Rica Forum through it local member Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO) in coordination with implementing partners CSF and ACTUAR are planning to respond to this crisis by providing Shelter/NFI s, Food security, WASH and Livelihoods. Over 1105 households and 5525  individuals will be benefited by this intervention. The ACT Costa Rica Forum is requesting 164,546.04   USD to run the activities.

The first revision of the IRQ161 appeal is hereby issued, as requested by the ACT Iraq Forum.
This revision is based on the evolving humanitarian situation as the fight against Islamic State is coming to the end, and the liberation allows hundreds of people to return to their homes. Significant barriers inhibit return movements, such as the destruction of property and lack of security and access to basic services, while the conflict between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region may trigger new displacements. The humanitarian situation keeps evolving in all parts of Iraq, including the current areas of activity of requesting members.

Christian Aid expressed a need to adjust their original proposed activities to allow for responding to WASH activities in more critical areas across Iraq, one of the greatest needs identified in relation to the Mosul response. To reflect this, additional budget lines have been included for hygiene kits, hygiene promotion, and critical health messaging.