Highlights
· As winter storms hit across the region, UNICEF and partners accelerated efforts to provide winter items to vulnerable children:
o In Syria, so far, over 450,000 blankets, 28,000 children’s clothing sets; 65,000 plastic sheets; 38,000 soap bars and other hygiene items have been distributed.
o 45,000 children have received winter clothing in Lebanon out of 74,603 winter clothing kits delivered to partners so far.
o 25,000 winter clothing kits and blankets were distributed covering all children under 5 in Cyber City, King Abdullah Park and Za’atari camps in Jordan.
· The second round of polio vaccination commenced on 6 December in Lebanon, 8 December in Syria and 9 December in the State of Palestine. Reports as of 12 December from Syria show 1,129,584 children under 5 and 37,060 over five vaccinated so far in this round. Vaccination rounds are also planned for Jordan (21 December); Iraq (27 December) and Turkey (23 December). The first round is estimated to have reached over 24 million children across the region.
· In Jordan, UNICEF and partners have completed WASH repairs at 91 host community schools, benefiting nearly 73,000 students. Repairs to 48 broken septic tanks in Za’atari Camp have improved sanitation for 23,000 residents of three districts.