Jafra Foundation activity report December 2013

8/13/2019 Jafra Foundation activity report December 2013

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Syria Damascus, Yarmouk Camp

Yarmouk street

[email protected],http://www.facebook.com/Jafra.Foundation

Jafra is a Foundation for Relief and Youth

Development that is working to ease the human

suffering in cases of emergency, crises and

disastrous situations, as well as to improve theliving conditions prevailing in the Palestinian

refugee camps in Syria, by involving young people

in the development process.

OBJECTIVES

The foundation aims to:

1. alleviate the human suffering in crises and disastrous situations by providing the necessary materials andservices to Palestinians and Syrians that live in the Palestinian camps in Syria,

2. empower the refugee community through developmental projects that aim to raise the human, socialand economic capacities in the society,

3. empower young people to attain their rightful place in the society and to be able to seize allopportunities for their development, as well as participate fully in their community,

ACTIVITIES

1. Provision of relief and shelter to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) that seek refuge in the PalestinianCamps and gatherings in Syria due to the ongoing conflict

2. Distribution of food and other necessities to families in need, either displaced or residing in areas wheremovement is prohibited due to the armed conflict

3. Psycho-Social support and Education programs for children affected by the conflict4. Cleaning Campaigns5. Emergency activities6. Training courses7. Dissemination of information relating to urgent issuesWHERE WE OPERATE

DAMASCUS: Yarmouk Camp, Hajar Alaswad, Sbeineh Camp, Jaramana Camp, Hoseinieh, Barzeh, Tadamon,

Mezzeh, Qudsaya, Khan Eshieh Camp

HOMS: Homs Camp
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PREVAILING SITUATION

After the beginning of the Syrian conflict, the Palestinians, in most of the cities, found themselves in the

middle due to social and geographical relations and bonds among them and the Syrians.

The Palestinian camps became a shelter for Syrian, wounded people and Internally Displaced People due to

the Palestinian long tradition in civil society organisations and the strong community bonds. In addition tothat, one should notice that the location of the camps and gatherings is at the most low socioeconomic areas

of Syria. As the uprising begun in these areas, it was fated to touch the Palestinian society, as population

from the affected areas was seeking shelter inside the camps.

For a long period, the camps were considered a safe haven as Palestinians stayed on the sidelines.

Yarmouk Camp, since July 2012, when the conflict intensified, has received and provided shelter to more

than 50.000 displaced people, most of them Syrian. Local associations, with limited resources, have come

together to offer relief and comfort to these people.

This was up to some months ago when Palestinian camps became a conflict target for several reasons.

In specific, since December 2012, the situation has become tragic leading more than half of the population

to evacuate Yarmouk Camp, the capital of the Palestinian diaspora in Syria. The humanitarian situation

became worse as all hospitals (due to absence of medical supplies and staff) and all shops suspended their

operation.

Yarmouk Camp is not the only camp under these conditions. More camps are experiencing the exact same

conditions and the rest are under heavy constraints as they host thousands of IDPs in mass gatherings,

schools and local houses.

The infrastructure in the camps has been damaged significantly, electricity outages are exceeding the 20hours in a row, diesel and gas are out, food shortages are more than evident and, in specific, bread is scarce,

all kind of supplies are in serious deficit, telecommunications and internet services are mostly out, prices are

higher than ever and unemployment cannot be measured anymore, taking also into account all businesses

that have closed due to the risks while being open/operating.

Hospitals in the most affected camps are also suffering as they are facing shortage of medical staff, medicine

and oxygen necessary for surgical operations. In Yarmouk Camp there is complete absence of doctors to

treat wounded and perform surgical operations.

Until June 2013, almost 1.500 Palestinians have been killed in Syria, beside thousands being wounded. More

than 60.000 Palestinians have been forced to leave Syria, and the number is estimated to be higher.According to official estimations (UNRWA), almost half of the Palestinian population in Syria has been

displaced inside the country.

In Yarmouk camp, there are still residing more than 12.000 families under extremely harsh circumstances,

full blockade, daily shelling and continuous violent clashes.

Palestinian refugees from all camps in Syria, hundreds of thousands of civilians, are facing tremendous

challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Tens of thousands have been displaced and living in

mass gatherings such as schools, basements, mosques and other public places under very difficult

circumstances. Thousands are still inside the camps experiencing harsh conditions under blockade and

daily violence.


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JAFRAS ACTIVITIES PRESENTATION

Provision of relief and shelter to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) that seek refuge in the Palestinian

Camps and gatherings in Syria due to the ongoing conflict

From August 2012 until February 2013, Jafra was running one IDP shelter in Yarmouk camp, which

accommodated around 900 people that fled the neighboring southern areas of Damascus due to theescalation of violence. In addition, the Foundation was also responsible for two more shelters in Yarmouk

Camp.

Lodging, food and medicine as well as basic needs materials, such as blankets, clothing and cleaning supplies

were provided to all resident families. Furthermore, education and psychological support for the children

was a priority and Jafra organized daily related activities.

The specific IDP shelter in Yarmouk Camp was forced to terminate its operation due to the further and

severe escalation of hostilities and violence in the camp, making it a non-safe area.

Jafra started working, in cooperation with other local NGOs, in the running of IDP shelters in Damascusregion, where population of the affected areas, including Yarmouk Camp and other Palestinian camps, fled

to escape violence.

Distribution of food and other necessities to families in need, either displaced or residing in areas where

movement is prohibited due to the armed conflict

Tens of thousands of Palestinians struggle every day to meet their basic nutritional needs. Access to food

supplies has been become extremely difficult, and in cases impossible, in areas where conflict is severe. In

IDP shelters and for displaced Palestinian population securing food is more than challenging due to fact that

the major part of the population has become unemployed and soaring food and fuel prices across the

country have also exacerbated the situation.

Personal hygiene has been seriously affected. Some of the displaced people, following more than 25 days

without cleaning and washing, are forced to visit local residents houses in order to use their facilities.

As for the medical services, there is not enough to say to describe the situation except that they are

completely absent, except painkillers. In addition, we have to note that there is a large number of patients

with Thalassemia, cancer and other chronic conditions that are unable to find the medication to control

them. Fear of epidemics and contagious diseases is also very high as cases are not treated properly andpeople live in non-hygiene places.


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In the schools that the local associations are running as shelters, the conditions are even worse. Each room

hosts 35-40 people, has little bedding essentials and one small cover per person is provided. Medical services

do not exist. As for the houses in the camps that host displaced population, we can only say that both are

living and sharing miserable conditions.

Jafra Foundation is providing food baskets to thousands of families, as well as other necessities such as

blankets and mattresses and food for cooking and breakfast to shelters of IDPs in different regions: 7.000 food baskets have been distributed to the most affected families within the camps and gatherings,

which have no means to cover their basic nutritional needs. In order for the distribution to be as

effective as possible, maintaining the safety of the beneficiaries, many distribution points were set up in

cooperation/consultation with other NGOs and associations in each area.

10.000 children milk cans have been also distributed to families in need 2.000 cooking and food supplies packages were given to shelters and centers all over Damascus 2.700 blankets and mattresses to protect displaced population during winter time and to provide

bedding have been also provided

Psycho-Social support and Education programs for children affected by the conflict

Great attention is given to the psychosocial support of children that have experienced the catastrophic

aspects of war. Since one year, Jafra has been organizing several recreational and educational activities on a

frequent basis, as well as during special occasions and celebrations. Facing also the loss of the school year,

Jafra has developed activities to support children that are unable to register in schools.

Since February 2013, Jafra is running six (6) Child Friendly Spaces were 520 children are receiving psycho-

social l support and has been providing education to 1.500 children.


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Cleaning Campaigns

Armed conflicts have disastrous consequences for the environment: destruction of infrastructure, pollution

of water supplies, poisoning of soils and fields, halting of standard waste collection and disposal. In order to

preserve the environment, it is essential to prevent the emergence of a vicious circle linking armed conflict,

environmental damage and poverty.

Yarmouk Camp is experiencing the above mentioned

effects as all waste collection, disposal in appropriate

places and discard , previously operated by the

municipality, has stopped, or it is difficult to fully

operate due to the prevailing situation (violence,

clashes, and inability to move freely and at all times).Municipal collection services are altogether absent. Slow

burning and uncontrolled dumping of municipal solid

wastes with frequent intermingling of hospital and other

hazardous wastes on the streets, open spaces,

playgrounds, and vacant lots are the common methods

practiced for solid waste disposal resulting in serious

land and air pollution problems.

Places used now for dumping garbage are located

between residential areas and near schools and

playgrounds and, as there is no solution for at least 9months, the accumulated garbage is degrading both

the quality of the environment and the quality of life

in the camp. It provides a breeding ground for disease

vectors, such as mosquitoes, flies and rats.

Jafra has put together a team of volunteers

accompanied with drivers of trucks and have rented

and maintained a number of required cleaning

machines and has taken the full responsibility of

cleaning Yarmouk Camp.

Apart from the cleaning of the accumulated garbage,Jafras team is


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cleaning the camp from the debris that is blocking the streets as a results of the continuous shellingand the ongoing clashes

carrying on maintenance works for the electricity network carrying on other maintenance work that is required for the safety of the population developing and running awareness raising campaigns relating to waste management and hygiene doing vent control

Emergency activities

Jafra has a team of medics and evacuation volunteers in cases of emergency, such as clashes, bombing,

shelling, fire. The foundation is participating in the aftermath of such situations and conditions in

cooperation with other relief and medical organizations, by evacuating people from destroyed residential

buildings and any other emergency situation that is emerging.

According to the area of each camp that Jafra is

operating (and the geographical mapping), the

camps are divided into districts. For every district,

a team, with an experienced team leader, has

been allocated. Every team consists of one medic,

two evacuations responsible and one firefighter.

Every team is equipped with first aid kits,

extinguishers, tool kits with emergency lights and

safety equipment for all the team members

(boots, safety jacket and safety gloves).

Central Units are also equipped with central

generator for all units and 1 main car for

transportation in case of heavy accidents.

Training courses

A number of training courses on voluntarism, civil defense, emergency management, Sphere guidelines,

psycho-Social support and social media have been organised, as Jafra has as a priority the building of the


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capacity of its volunteers in order to deal with the serious tasks and responsibilities of the prevailing

situation in Syria.

Trainings are organized in cooperation with

International organisations, both in Syria, Lebanon

and other countries and they are prerequisite for

volunteers in order to acquire greater role in the

Foundation and be responsible when dealing withaffected population.

Until now, Jafra has organized and participated in

more than 30 training courses.

Dissemination of information relating to urgent issues

JAFRA, through its site http://www.facebook.com/Jafra.Foundation?fref=ts, disseminates important

information relating to the dealing of the prevailing situation that the ongoing conflict has caused. This

information consists of ways to deal with bombing and shelling, fire, electricity and communication outages,

as well as provides advices for the betterment of the already difficult living conditions, such as waste

management, etc.

Organisational capacity

Jafra is giving high importance to the capacity building of its management team, as well as of all volunteers in

all programs. As stated beforehand, many training courses are being developed and its members participate

actively in training sessions that International organisations are holding.

Following the conclusion of the trainings, Jafra members act as multipliers for the rest of the members that

didnt attend the courses. They transfer all acquired knowledge and put immediately into practice what they

learned. This strategy accelerates the process of learning and capacity building.

In June 2013, a fully operational Branch of Jafra has opened in Homs Camp. The branch is developing

programs for the psychosocial support of children and runs educational projects. More than 30 members are

involved up to now and within the next month the branch will expand its programs.

Up to July 2013, Jafra Foundation has more than 200 active members and volunteers in all

sections/programs.

Grantors (Institutions/Associations)

Norwegian People's Aid

Medico International

WAR Child

Farmaceuticos Mundi

Save the Children
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Jafra volunteers (Humanity is not a Crime)

KHALED BAKRAWEE, detainee

On the night of 19 January 2013, all communication with one of the leading and

founding members of Jafra Foundation has been lost. Khaled, since that day, is being

detained by the Syrian authorities.

Khaled Bakrawee, who provided aid and relief to displaced families and families living

under blockade conditions in Yarmouk Camp and other Palestinian camps in Syria,

irrespective of the great risks and difficulties, Khaled, who is actively involved in civil life

and volunteering since an early age, Khaled, who represents the Palestinian refugees in

many international conferences and associations in Syria and abroad, Khaled an active

and passionate trainer, has been detained for his humanitarian work and his dedication

to relief affected people from the awful consequences of the ongoing armed conflict.

Maher Al jageh, detainee

Maher, one of the most dedicated volunteers of Jafra Foundation, was assisting

at the IDP shelter that Jafra is running, offering help and services to hundredsof displaced Syrians that escaped violence from the neighboring areas of

Yarmouk Camp. He was so much committed that he was refusing to return to

his home for resting, even for a while. On the contrary, he was insisting on

staying whole days on a row. I dont mind tiredness; I wish to stay here to help

as much as possible. It is the first time that I feel my life has a meaning, that I

do something useful he used to say. The morning of 22 September 2012,

Syrian authorities entered Jafras IDP shelter and detained, among numerous

displaced people, Maher for his humanitarian commitment. Since then, 11

months now, Maher has been detained.

Amjad Hammed, woundedAmjad Hammed was responsible for food distribution at the IDP shelter of

Jafra in Yarmouk Camp. The afternoon of 09 September 2012, while on

duty, shelling in the camp hit areas very close to the shelter. Fragments of

shells fell inside the shelter injuring seriously Amjad. With the help of

other volunteers, Amjad was rushed to a nearby hospital where,

thankfully, he recovered from his wounds and return to the family of Jafra

quickly.

Osman Hussain, Martyr

The grave escalation of violence in Yarmouk Camp was met with

more dedication from Jafra volunteers. Volunteers that risked andcontinue to risk, on daily basis, their lives so as to help and save

people that are under danger. Osman Hussain was one of them. On

the 21st

of December 2012, he lost his life while trying to move one

seriously wounded to a safer area where medical treatment could be

given to him. A sniper took his life.


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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PALESTINIANS IN SYRIA Palestinian Refugees in Syria are distributed into 13 separate camps and 20 Palestinian residential

compounds. Official numbers and statistics of Palestinian refugees in Syria issued by UNRWA and the

General Commission for Palestinian Arab Refugees (GCPAR) are considered as a representative of their

minimum numbers.

The most recent statistics released by UNRWA early in 2012, showed that Palestinian refugees registeredwith UNRWA totaled at 530.093 refugees. This number is, as mentioned, the minimum due to the non-

representation of refugees fleeing to Syria during 1956, 1967, 1970-1971. Palestinians are present in Syria

since 1948.

While Palestinian refugees enjoyed many of the rights of Syrian citizens, including access to social services,

development indicators reveal that they lag behind the host population in key areas, such as a higher infant

mortality rate and lower school enrolment figures. Palestinian refugees in Syria, like all Palestinian refugees,

remain a vulnerable population and live in uncertainty with regard to their long-term future. Many of the

water and sewerage systems need upgrading, while some camps still lack networks altogether. Poor

sanitation in the camps poses health risks for the refugees. In most of the refugee camps shelters remain

very basic, and many require structural rehabilitation.Official numbers for the Palestinian presence in refugee camps is as following:

FIELD AREA CENTER No. of persons No. of families

Hama Camp 8.896 2.167

Hama Town 750 227

Homs Camp 15.869 3.938

Homs Town 8.029 2.107

Lattakia Camp UNOFF 8.103 2.119

Lattakia mobile 1.323 345

Lattakia Town 1.700 492

Total 44.670 11.395

Added by estarta 10 1

Al l iance 16.896 4.816

Duma 7.657 1.859

Dummar 7.141 1.732Husseinieh 30.561 6.877

Jaramana Em Camp 19.292 4.909

Jobar 15.842 4.245

Khan Dannoun Camp 11.090 2.674

Khan Eshieh Camp 22.053 5.015

Mazzeh 11.737 3.519

Midan 7.833 2.068

Mleiha 4.094 951

Qaboun 5.417 1.291

Qabresit Em Camp 25.787 5.801

Qeimar 31.590 8.422

Ramadan 1.384 308

Sasa 1.582 353

Sbeineh Em Camp 24.555 5.604

Tikyeh 10.423 3.154

Yarmouk 163.003 40.302

Total 417.947 103.901

Aleppo mobile North 1.629 394

Aleppo Town 8.508 2.198

Ein Tal Ext 6.211 1.418

Neirab Camp 20.569 4.925

Total 36.917 8.935

Added by estarta Dera1 2 1

Added by estarta Dera2 11 1

Dera Camp 5.984 1.429

Dera Em Camp 5.516 1.270

Dera Vil lages 13.639 2.984

Dear Displaced (Dera Town) 3.767 931

Jillin 1.640 343Total 30.559 6.959

530.093 131.190

SYRIA

Central

DAMASCUS

NORTH

SOUTH

TOTAL
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Jafra Foundation activity report December 2013

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