Highlights
As a baseline for the 2016 LCRP, the sector consolidated, in coordination with its partners, the 2015 gap analysis. The outputs of the partners for 2015, already achieved or committed until the end of the year, have been compared with the targeted shelter needs, estimated on base of the 2015 Shelter Phone Survey and the multi-sectorial household survey, prioritizing severely and highly vulnerable. In the informal settlements (IS), the targeted shelter needs, especially for winterization (e.g. replacing damaged tarpaulins), will be generally covered – whilst the less funded shelter targets outside of IS, like minor repair such as the sealing of windows and damaged roofs of substandard shelters are only partially covered - as well as the rehabilitation of mostly occupied shelters (in exchange for a one year lease agreement and a reduced rent or free occupancy).
In light of last year’s cold, wet winter, 2015/16 winter’s preparation has started in September and October. Already end October, 127,332 persons have been assisted in weather proong in IS, so that 92% of this year’s target are already covered now; the remaining will be assisted until the year’s end. In addition to this target, MoSA provided heavy duty tarpaulins to cover leaking and faulty makeshift roofs: four partners distributed 5,000 in the North and in Akkar and three agencies 10,000 items in the governorates of Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel (with another 2500 planned for Arsal). For 5,284 displaced Syrians in IS, sites (drainage) were improved to ensure access and mitigate ooding. UNHCR continues to procure shelter kits in the next months, which also include insulation kits that have proven, especially in higher altitudes, to well protect against summer heat and winter cold.
Such insulation kits are also foreseen – outside of the IS - for substandard buildings, where, in September and October, 12,394 most vulnerable households benefitted from weatherproong or minor repairs (often also of water and sanitation) and 5,757 from the mentioned upgrading (rehabilitation) of occupied as well as unoccupied shelters. During September and October, the total number of the beneciaries of these activities increased by 50% to reach 59,550 for minor repair (e.g. weatherproong) and 33,821 for rehabilitation. However, the cumulative achievement still only covers one third of the target set by the sector for 2015.
After UNRWA suspended their shelter support to PRS in June, cash for rent has stagnated, and the few activities to raise awareness for the legal aspects of lease agreements have only been reported to the Protection sector. The improvement of gatherings and the upgrading of neighbourhoods, which has hardly started o in 2015, will be relaunched in 2016, as also indicated in the updated shelter sector response plan for the LCRP 2016.