0 .MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP
More than two years since the beginning of the crisis, the armed conflict is having devastating humanitarian consequences in Syria and neighbouring countries. In order to address the widening gap between the growing needs of affected populations and the humanitarian response, the European Commission has decided to increase the budget of the 2013 HIP by EUR 65 million; bringing the total budget of the 2013 HIP to EUR 100 million. These additional resources are not sufficient to cover all needs. Therefore, after an analysis of the humanitarian needs assessments conducted by partners, this additional funding will be used mainly to support life-saving medical emergency response, provision of essential drugs, food and nutritional items, safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter, distribution of basic non-food items (NFIs) and protection to help the most vulnerable families (Internally Displaced People, refugees, host communities). Priority will be given to aid operations in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
In the first months of 2013, the situation of the civilian population continued to deteriorate rapidly with a shift towards sectarian violence, the presence of foreign fighters, bombardments and attacks of populated areas. Serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights have been reported including rape, torture, mass killings and reportedly the use of chemical weapons and cluster bombs. Also, the number of casualties continues rising, now reaching 94,000 persons as the armed conflict has expanded to all Syrian governorates. The sectarian nature of the conflict has been underlined by the independent International Commission of Inquiry, including the targeting of specific communities (Alawites in Damascus, Christians in Homs) or kidnapping along confessional lines.
The response to population’s needs has been hindered by the sharp deterioration of the security environment and by the systematic obstruction of the Syrian authorities which impose impediments to aid agencies and at times prevent aid from reaching vulnerable populations. More than ever, all ways must be explored to support principled humanitarian operations in all areas inside Syria.
Since the beginning of the year, the number of refugees in neighboring countries has more than doubled. More than 1.5 million Syrians are hosted in foreign countries, mainly in Jordan,
Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. More than 51% of registered refugees are children and threequarters of registered refugees are living with local host families and communities in both urban and rural areas. If current trends persist, it can be expected that over 3 million Syrians would have left their country by the end of 2013.
In this context, and to reflect the sharp increase in humanitarian needs, the United Nations will launch two revised appeals in early June; namely the Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP) and the Regional Refugee Plan (RRP) Version 5.