U F E A - REACH Resource Centre

Transcription

URBAN AREA HUMANITARIAN PROFILE: EASTERN ALEPPO
URBAN FACTSHEET: EASTERN ALEPPO
SYRIAFC
RISIS
URBAN
ACTSHEET: EASTERN ALEPPO
FOOD, HEALTH AND WATER ASSESSMENT
URBAN
: EASTERN ALEPPO
AUGUSTFACTSHEET
2014
URBAN CENTRE HUMANITARIAN PROFILE: EASTERN ALEPPO
CONTENTS
LIST OF MAPS AND TABLES
LIST OF ACRONYMS
GEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATIONS
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................1
METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................................................................................2
DISPLACEMENT & ACCESS OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................4
FOOD FINDINGS ...............................................................................................................................................................6
SEVERITY LEVEL ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
MARKET STOCKS......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
ACCESS CONSTRAINTS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
AVAILABILITY ISSUES AND SHORTAGES ................................................................................................................................................. 7
FUNCTIONING OF BAKERIES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8
PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8
HEALTH FINDINGS ...........................................................................................................................................................9
SEVERITY LEVEL ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
MAIN HEALTH CONCERNS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
MEDICAL SERVICE COVERAGE AND ACCESS ...................................................................................................................................... 10
FUNCTIONING OF HEALTH CENTRES ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 11
WATER FINDINGS ..........................................................................................................................................................12
SEVERITY LEVEL ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
WATER NETWORK DEFICIENCY .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13
CONCLUSIONS ...............................................................................................................................................................14
GENERAL .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
FOOD ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
HEALTH ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
WATER ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
About REACH
REACH is a joint initiative of two international non-governmental organizations - ACTED and IMPACT Initiatives - and
the UN Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH was created in 2010 to facilitate the
development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based
decisions in emergency, recovery and development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted in support to and
within the framework of inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, please visit: www.reachinitiative.org. You can write to us at: geneva@reach-initiative.org and follow us @REACH_info.
LIST OF MAPS AND TABLES
Map 1: Assessed neighbourhoods of Eastern Aleppo City, 25 July 2014 ........................................................................................ 3
Map 2: Food insecurity severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of eastern
Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Map 3: Health conditions severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo
city, 25 July 2014 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Map 4: Drinking water situation severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of eastern
Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Table 1: Severity Scale, from 6 (“Catastrophic situation”) to 0 (“No problem”) ................................................................................ 3
Table 2: Resident population and Internally Displaced Persons per assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July
2014 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Table 3: Groups most in need of assistance in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ........................... 5
Table 4: Access constraints to food in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ......................................... 7
Table 5: Food availability issues and shortages in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ...................... 7
Table 6: Factors impacting bakeries’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ................... 8
Table 7: Priority food interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 .......................................... 8
Table 8: Average medical service coverage compared to needs in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July
2014 ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Table 9: Health centres’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014..................................... 10
Table 10: Main factors impeding health centres’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 11
Table 11: Priority health interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ................................... 11
Table 12: Water availability issues in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ........................................ 13
Table 13: Access constraints to water in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 ................................... 13
Table 14: Priority water interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014 .................................... 13
LIST OF ACRONYMS
IDP
KI
NFI
NGO
SINA
Internally Displaced Person
Key Informants
Non-Food Items
Non-Governmental Organisations
Syria Integrated Needs Analysis
GEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATIONS
Governorate
District
Sub-District
City
Neighbourhood
Highest form of governance below the national level
Sub-division of a governorate in which government institutions operate
Sub-division of a district composed of towns and villages
Urban centre located within a sub-district
Lowest administrative unit within a city
Urban Area Humanitarian Profile: Eastern Aleppo, August 2014
INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of 2014, the Syrian city of Aleppo has been under constant aerial bombardment, and high
intensity ground fighting1. Barrel bombings and switching off of the water pumping stations and electricity have
caused extensive shutdowns across Aleppo city. These combined factors caused the displacement of more than
550,000 persons from eastern Aleppo city towards other areas within Aleppo governorate and across border
into Turkey2.
Since mid-June 2014, eastern Aleppo city has been under an increasing threat of being besieged3. As a result,
access to this area is constrained, with main roads and most southern entrances to the city being open on a sporadic
basis. For the last two years, since July 2012, eastern Aleppo was already one of the most difficult areas to reach by
humanitarian organisations. The potential of a complete blockade for external aid delivery will worsen an already critical
humanitarian situation for the population still living in this area of the city.
This assessment presents an analysis of data collected by REACH enumerators between 22 and 25 July, 2014, in
the eastern, opposition-controlled side of Aleppo city – an area which encompasses the northern, eastern, and
southern parts of the city, historically known as “the crescent of the poor”. Previous assessments that took place
between 17 April and 7 July allow REACH to do a comparison of trends and needs over time in this context.
The findings from this assessment highlight sector specific humanitarian needs and gaps in order to inform the
relief response for affected populations in four frontline neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city: Salah al-Din,
Bustan al-Qaser, and Fardos, in the south, and Sheikh Maqsoud, in the north.
In these consistently populated neighbourhoods, humanitarian needs are dramatically impacted by the volatility of the
security situation, constraining access to basic utilities and services. While other neighbourhoods reportedly host
residents and IDPs as well, fluctuations of population numbers and services do not allow for a representative
assessment of the situation.
This urban centre humanitarian profile specifically focuses on the sectors of Food, Health and Water in each of the
four neighbourhoods. This assessment does not aim to provide detailed programmatic information; it is designed to
share with a broad audience a concise overview of the current situation in this area and to guide further assessments.
As part of the presentation of key findings for each of the sectors covered by this assessment, suggested priority
interventions are included to inform aid actors in planning timely and appropriate relief response for affected
populations in eastern Aleppo.
Barrage of Barrel Bombs, Human Rights Watch (July 30, 2014)
Aleppo City - Key Informants Assessment Report REACH (June 2014)
3 Syrian troops advance in key city of Aleppo (Al Jazeera, July 7, 2014)
1
2
1
METHODOLOGY
The methodology applied for this assessment included one phase of primary data collection and analysis, between 22
and 25 July 2014, and secondary data review covering the period 1 July – 8 August 2014. These data are compared
here with two previous assessments. The first one was carried out between 16th April and 6th May 2014, and the second
phase was undertaken between 1st and 7th July 2014.
Due to access and security constraints, purposive sampling was selected as the most appropriate method for this
assessment, which was carried out using a combination of two data collection methods: Key Informants’ (KI) interviews
and direct observations by teams of trained enumerators.
Out of the 8 enumerators who participated in the assessment in Eastern Aleppo, 5 had been trained by an interagency
team of trainers during the Syria Integrated Needs Assessment (SINA)4 carried out in 2013. This training took the
shape of a multi-sector training to ensure a good understanding of key terms and underlying factors for each assessed
sector, as well as assessment techniques such as triangulation and interviewing. The remaining 3 enumerators were
trained by the REACH team in Turkey, who also facilitated specific training with leaders of enumerator teams, covering
assessment standards, terminology, methodology and tools, as well as humanitarian principles.
A multi-sector questionnaire designed by REACH and the Inter-Sector Coordination Group, and based on data
collection tools for SINA, was provided to enumerators, who received training on assessment and humanitarian
principles and tools, triangulation methodologies, and methods for reliability ranking.
The questionnaire includes an evaluation of needs severity in each sector, based on the perceptions of KI, coupled
with direct observations made at locations visited. Multiple KI interviews and observation visits were conducted
whenever possible in eastern Aleppo city. KI were asked to rank severity on a seven-point scale, from 0, meaning
“normal situation”, to 6, “catastrophic” (Table 1).
Four questionnaires, focusing on the northern and southern neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud, Salah al-Din, Bustan
al-Qaser, and Fardos were completed for this assessment (Map 1).
KI were selected based on their knowledge of sector-specific issues5, such as local leaders working with private or
public services providers, in the eastern area of Aleppo. To increase the reliability of data collected through KI
interviews, enumerators were asked to triangulate their findings through different sources familiar with the context in
eastern Aleppo. Face-to-face and remote debriefings of enumerators were conducted by REACH assessment staff, to
review and validate completed questionnaires. Team leaders were also asked to share field observations as well as to
present evidence, including photos of damages or strategic water and electricity infrastructures, when possible. REACH
assessment staff also conducted shorter debriefing interviews with enumerators to cross-check the information shared
by the team leader.
Due to the recurrence of population movements and the ongoing limited access to eastern Aleppo city, population
numbers are difficult to estimate. For this reason, the population and displacement figures provided in this factsheet
should be interpreted as estimates only, and should be used with care, although they remain in line with the
displacement patterns reported in secondary sources.
The main limitation for this assessment is the high reliance on KI interviews as the primary data collection method. This
constrained the analysis of results, despite the checks and balances outlined above in regards to triangulation of
collected data. Further, the assessment comprised a limited number of interviews due to the context briefly described
in the Introduction.
4
5
Assessment Working Group for Northern Syria, 31/12/13
KI usually include, but are not limited to, local council, relief committees, and health and education officials, along with community leaders.
2
Map 1: Assessed neighbourhoods of Eastern Aleppo City, 25 July 2014
Table 1: Severity Scale, from 6 (“Catastrophic situation”) to 0 (“No problem”)
6
Catastrophic situation for <sector name>. Affected population faces life-threatening conditions causing high level
of suffering, irreversible damages to health status and deaths. Large number of deaths are reported directly caused by
the current <sector name> conditions and will result in many more deaths if no immediate <sector name> assistance is
provided.
5
Critical situation for <sector name>. Affected population faces life-threatening conditions causing high level of
suffering, irreversible damages to health status and deaths. Deaths are already reported, directly caused by the current
<sector name> conditions, and more deaths are expected if no immediate <sector name> assistance is provided.
4
Severe situation for <sector name>. Affected population faces life-threatening conditions causing high level of
suffering and irreversible damages to health, which can result in deaths if no humanitarian assistance is provided.
3
Situation of major concern for <sector name>. Majority of people are facing <Sector name> problems or shortages
causing discomfort and suffering which can result in irreversible damages to health, but they are not life threatening.
Affected population will not be able to cope with the <Sector name> current conditions if the situation persists and no
humanitarian assistance is being provided.
2
Situation of concern for <sector name>. Many people are facing <sector name> problems or shortages
causing discomfort and suffering, but they are not life threatening. Affected population is feeling the strain of
the situation but can cope with the current situation with local resources.
1
Situation of minor concern for <sector name>, but conditions may turn concerning. Few people are facing
problems or shortages in <sector name> but they are not life threatening. Affected population is feeling the
strain of the situation but can cope with the current situation with local resources.
0
3
Normal situation for <sector name>. Population is living under normal conditions. All <sector name> needs are met.
DISPLACEMENT & ACCESS OVERVIEW

While displacement trends within the city are unpredictable, the neighbourhoods REACH assessed have
remained consistently populated throughout the conflict and attracted high number of IDPs, including from
within eastern Aleppo city.

Barrel bombing in eastern Aleppo city increased over the past six months, after resolution 2139 was passed
on February 22, 2014. Impacts concentrated on highly populated neighbourhoods located within vicinity of
front-line positions6. The four assessed neighbourhoods, although they meet these criteria, were targeted to
a lesser extent, and traditionally did not report the same levels of housing damage.

Bustan al-Qaser, Salah al-Din, Fardos and Sheikh Maqsoud have thus been the most commonly sought ‘safe’
areas by IDPs since the beginning of the conflict (Table 2).
Table 2: Resident population and Internally Displaced Persons per assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25
July 2014
Neighbourhoods
Population
IDPs7
IDP arrivals
in last 30 days
Bustan al Qaser
42,000
900
600
3,900
600
300
Salah al Din
65,000
10,000
100
Sheikh Maqsoud
20,000
1,430
40
130,900
12,930
1,040
Fardos
Total

Reduced conflict intensity that occurred in eastern Aleppo city between 7 and 25 July allowed for scaled-up
deliveries through the gradual reopening of Bustan al-Qaser crossing gate – the only gateway between
western and eastern Aleppo city until it was closed in August 2013.

Both reduced conflict intensity and increased aid delivery allowed for 12,000 people to settle back in
Bustan al-Qaser, between 1 and 25 July.

Three access roads to eastern Aleppo city, including Kallaseh road, are currently open from 6am to 6pm.
Although consistently targeted by shelling and snipers, conflict intensity decreases during these hours.

As the threat of a siege was increasing throughout July 2014, KI reported an on-going wave of displacement
via these roads, from eastern Aleppo city towards northern sub-districts and Turkey. If eastern Aleppo city is
eventually besieged, these routes could be cut off, similarly to what previously happened in Damascus and
Homs8.
Barrage of Barrel Bombs, Human Rights Watch (July 30, 2014)
The number of IDPs for Fardos and Salah al-Din could not be assessed at the end of July. These data are from an assessment carried out from 1 – 7 July, 2014.
8 Aleppo rebels caught between Islamic State, Regime Al Monitor (June 30, 2014)
6
7
4

KI’s reports and debriefings with enumerators from April/May 2014 emphasised that the remaining residents
of eastern Aleppo city were already facing severe financial and safety constraints preventing them from
leaving unsafe areas.

Frequently, these residents cannot afford to pay for either: (1) transportation costs to leave the city,
(2) rental of housing outside Aleppo city, (3) cost of living in neighbouring countries, and (4) – in the
case of some fees for housing in collective shelters or border area camps.

Other reported impediments include (1) fear of arrest en route to or once in Western Aleppo city
(exacerbated by the considerable number of checkpoints), (2) the stigma and fear of criminality, and
associated protection concerns in camps, and (3) wishing to protect and/or remain in their home.

As they face challenges to leave, these residents become IDPs and tend to relocate on a sometimes daily
basis as they flee from aerial bombings, and congregate in basements and vacated buildings. KI reported
them to be amongst the most vulnerable groups in need of assistance, for all four neighbourhoods (Table
3).

As the majority of IDPs and residents in eastern Aleppo city are found in the four assessed neighbourhoods
of Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, and Sheikh Maqsoud, these neighbourhoods are a priority for
humanitarian action in eastern Aleppo city.
Table 3: Groups most in need of assistance in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
5
FOOD FINDINGS
SEVERITY LEVEL: MAJOR CONCERN (3)
Map 2: Food insecurity severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of
eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014

Food security conditions are reportedly less severe, compared to late June 2014. KI qualified food shortages
as being of major concern, although not life-threatening, in all assessed neighbourhoods. Affected populations
reportedly face “problems or shortages causing discomfort and suffering, which can result in irreversible
damages to health”.

These populations will not be “able to cope with the current food conditions if the situation persists and no
humanitarian assistance is provided.” KI emphasised that improved access to the city allowed to scale up aid
delivery, which mitigated the severity of food insecurity (Map 2).
MARKET STOCKS
6

No significant changes have been reported by KI since April 2014 in markets’ stocks, although they have
improved in Salah al Din. KI emphasised that all four neighbourhoods now have most or all required
stocks to supply residents with basic food and non-food items. Traders in these neighbourhoods can also still
replenish their stocks within seven days if needed.

More acute food shortages and needs may however be under-reported. First, stock levels could be overestimated, since financial and security challenges faced by eastern Aleppo’s residents may prevent these
residents from accessing markets, which in turn cannot sell their food products. Secondly, the poorest
residents, who face the heaviest financial challenges, tend to rely to a large extent on external food supply
and may not resort to markets.
ACCESS CONSTRAINTS

KI’ reports on access constraints are similar to those from July 2014. Financial impediments – pricing and
lack of resources – are still the main obstacles to securing food in all four neighbourhoods. Prohibitive
prices of basic food and food-related items, such as eggs, oils, cooking fuel and gas, are found in Salah alDin, Sheikh Maqsoud and Bustan al-Qaser respectively. These price levels highlight the limited availability
of such products.

Additionally, the current drought affecting northern Syria is considerably impacting yields, and will likely further
increase prices of basic food items such as bread9. KI also emphasised safety constraints as preventing
residents from accessing markets (Table 4). Despite the recent decrease in barrel bombing on these
neighbourhoods, on the ground fighting is still a threat to residents’ safety, and reduces their mobility.
Table 4: Access constraints to food in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
AVAILABILITY ISSUES AND SHORTAGES

The main reported issues across the assessed neighbourhoods are 1) lack of locally produced food, 2)
lack of food diversity on markets, and 3) shortages in infant formula (Error! Reference source not
ound.). Lack of infant formula is a consistently reported issue in the southern neighbourhoods of Bustan alQaser, Salah al-Din, and Fardos.

Besides low levels of local food production, caused by heavy losses of agricultural land, KIs emphasised
that eastern Aleppo city was affected by lack of diversity in the food available on markets. While locally
produced food can be delivered to the city from several access roads, external assistance is needed to
counterbalance local production shortages affecting food stocks and diversity.
Table 5: Food availability issues and shortages in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
9
Syria: Red Cross and Red Crescent alarmed about water shortages (ICRC, July 25, 2014)
7
FUNCTIONING OF BAKERIES

Bakeries in Bustan al-Qaser and Salah al-Din10 and Sheikh Maqsoud are facing serious electricity, wheat
flour and fuel shortages (Table 6). The decrease in barrel bombing was reflected in KI’ interviews, which
emphasised that bakeries are less threatened by conflict destruction and more easily accessible to workers,
notably in Sheikh Maqsoud, compared to May and early July 2014.

Several deliveries of wheat flour took place in July 2014, reportedly reaching more than 80% of residents
in these neighbourhoods (over 100,000 people), contributing to reduce food insecurity. One delivery included
75 tons of wheat flour supply to one major bakery11 located in these neighbourhoods, to cover daily bread
needs for over 4,000 households a month for the next 5 months.
Table 6: Factors impacting bakeries’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS

As a result of financial challenges and lack of food diversity, KIs prioritised food baskets and cash
assistance as the most urgently needed interventions in each neighbourhood (Table 7). There is also a critical
need for infant formula in Al Fardos, and for cooking fuel in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, and Sheikh
Maqsoud.
Table 7: Priority food interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
10
Al-Fardos does not have any bakery, and thus relies on those found in Bustan al-Qaser and Salah al-Din.
11 One of the bakeries is underground which has allowed it to remain functioning despite continued barrel bombing in the area.
8
HEALTH FINDINGS
SEVERITY LEVEL: SEVERE (4) (SHEIKH MAQSOUD, BUSTAN AL-QASER) AND OF MAJOR CONCERN (3)
(SALAH AL-DIN, FARDOS)

Health conditions have reportedly improved throughout July 2014. The “critical” situation reported at the end
of June is of major concern, but no longer life-threatening in Salah al-Din and Fardos. In Sheikh Maqsoud and
Bustan al-Qaser however, health conditions are still life-threatening and the situation is “severe”.

Despite a decrease in severity for all four neighbourhoods, the situation will reportedly worsen again if no
humanitarian assistance is provided (
Map 3).

Map 3: Health conditions severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of eastern
Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
MAIN HEALTH CONCERNS
12
9

KI reported conflict related injuries as the most prevailing health issues in southern neighbourhoods of
eastern Aleppo. This suggests that on the ground fighting is still affecting residents, despite the recent
decrease in bombing intensity.

While KI did not single out chronic diseases at the end of June 2014, they are now a major concern again,
due to lack of medicine and qualified health staff to treat these diseases.

This is however expected to improve, since 10 metric tonnes of medical supplies were provided to four
hospitals in eastern Aleppo city on 30 July, to cover the needs of 22,300 people12.
WHO and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Reach Eastern Aleppo City and Mouadamiya in rural Damascus (WHO, July 31, 2014)
MEDICAL SERVICE COVERAGE AND ACCESS

Medical services coverage is still low (Table 8), even in neighbourhoods such as Sheikh Maqsoud, where it
has reportedly improved13. The population in these neighbourhoods remained thoroughly the same, when
compared to early July, meaning the proportion of services per individual has not changed. Bustan al-Qaser’s
population has however increased by 12,000 people, which resulted in an increased pressure on medical
consultation services.

KI also reported that access to health facilities is still very limited, since medical coverage has not improved.
Despite a decrease in conflict intensity, safety constraints prevent affected residents from obtaining the
level of care they need.

KI’ reports from late June 2014 already emphasised an increase in severe diseases affecting children
under five14, which are still a prevailing issues in Bustan al-Qaser and Sheikh Maqsoud. Malnutrition is of
particular concern, since it is compounded by almost non-existent growth surveillance services.
Table 8: Average medical service coverage compared to needs in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25
July 2014
FUNCTIONING OF HEALTH CENTRES

Similarly to previous findings from May and June 2014, a small proportion of health centres is no longer
functioning because of conflict-related damage (Table 9).

For other non-functioning health centres KI singled out lack of key resources – medical staff, supplies and
funding – as the main critical impediments (Table 10)
Table 9: Health centres’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
The coverage for the following medical services has improved in Sheikh Maqsoud: reproductive health and obstetric care, chronic diseases management,
emergency and injury management, emergency health services/ambulances, and medical consultations.
14 Severe diseases affecting children under five include communicable and non-communicable diseases, along with leishmaniasis, malnutrition, and polio.
13
10
Table 10: Main factors impeding health centres’ functionality in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25
July 2014

KI identified 1) medical staff, 2) medical supplies (medicine and consumables), and 3) mobile clinics as
the most urgently needed interventions to improve health centres’ functionality and coverage (Table 11).

The provision of qualified health staff and medical equipment would ensure a better coverage in terms of
existing medical services.

On the other hand mobile clinics would allow to mitigate safety risks associated with static health centres,
more prone to be damaged by bombing, and thus facilitate access to medical services.
Table 11: Priority health interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
11
WATER FINDINGS
SEVERITY LEVEL: MAJOR CONCERN (3) (SALAH AL-DIN, BUSTAN AL-QASER, FARDOS) AND OF CONCERN (2)
(SHEIKH MAQSOUD)

KI in south eastern neighbourhoods of Aleppo city again reported that the “majority of people are facing water
access problems or shortages causing discomfort and suffering which can result in irreversible damages to
health, but they are not life threatening. Affected population will not be able to cope with the current water
access conditions if the situation persists and no humanitarian assistance is being provided” (Map 4).
Map 4: Drinking water situation severity in Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser, Fardos, Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods of
eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014

Water conditions in Sheikh Maqsoud have however improved since late June 2014. They are no longer
reported as a “major concern”, but as a situation of “concern”, with affected population being able to “cope
with the current conditions with local resources”.

Although KI do not consider current water conditions to be life threatening, they are likely related to a reported
high prevalence of diseases and symptoms originating from poor sanitation conditions15.
WATER NETWORK DEFICIENCY



15
KI singled out lack of electricity to run the water network, along with damages to this network, as main
factors for the reduction of water supply in these neighbourhoods (
Table 12). Throughout July 2014, electricity has reportedly been available from 4 to 20 hours a day in eastern
Aleppo city, while water was available 4 or 5 hours a day.
KI additionally highlighted lack of water tanks, to collect and store water when it is available, as a major
factor impeding the coverage of residents’ drinking water needs. This is an especially acute issue in Bustan
al-Qaser and Salah al-Din.
Leishmaniasis and diarrhoea, associated with water- and vector-borne diseases have been reported as major issues by KI.
12

The reduced availability of water resulting from the lack of electricity and lack of resources to purchase
bottled water have further led residents to dig wells they are reportedly unable to consistently chlorinate
(Table 13). At the end of July 2014 KI further emphasised that water in these neighbourhoods does not taste
or look good, but could not be tested to assess if it was polluted.
Table 12: Water availability issues in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
Table 13: Access constraints to water in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014

Critical shortages of electricity to improve the network functionality and tanks to store water when
available led KI to identify these as the most urgently needed interventions. They also highlighted the need
to dug new wells to cover residents’ daily needs, along with a lack of water treatment chemicals to safely
resort to existing, although drying up, wells (Table 14).
Table 14: Priority water interventions in assessed neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city, 25 July 2014
13
CONCLUSIONS
GENERAL

The remaining residents of eastern Aleppo face acute challenges which prevent them from leaving the city, yet
forcing them to relocate from their area of origin to other neighbourhoods, such as Salah al-Din, Bustan al-Qaser,
Fardos, and Sheikh Maqsoud.

KI emphasised an improved access to the city, resulting from a decrease in barrel bombing. More roads are now
open, allowing residents to leave the city and aid to be delivered in eastern Aleppo. As a result, about 12,000
residents reportedly managed to settle back in Bustan al-Qaser. However, access is still constrained, these roads
remain dangerous and are open on a sporadic basis. Despite reduced barrel bombing intensity, on-the-ground
fighting still prevents residents’ access to medical facilities and markets for instance.
FOOD

KI emphasised insecurity and limited resources, notably lack of financial means in a context of high food prices,
as the main constraints impeding eastern Aleppo residents’ access to food. KI also reported lack of food diversity
to be correlated to shortages in local production.

Similarly to early July 2014, markets are reportedly able to replenish their stocks within seven days. Stocks may
appear sufficient as a result of traders not being able to sell food because residents cannot afford it.

KI reported that the functioning of bakeries was significantly constrained by the irregularity of electricity provision,
shortages in wheat flour, and lack of flour.

Priority interventions to improve food security were identified by KI to be food baskets and cash assistance. These
interventions would allow to counterbalance low levels of local production as well as residents’ financial constraints.
HEALTH

Health worker KI reported similar levels of medical service coverage throughout July 2014. Prevailing health
concerns at the end of July include conflict-related injuries – due to on the ground fighting, chronic diseases, and
severe diseases affecting children under five.

Health centres’ functionality is reportedly consistently diminished by lack of key resources – namely medical staff,
funding, and equipment.

Priority interventions to improve health centres’ functionality were identified by KI to be medical staff and medical
supplies, along with mobile clinics, considered to be safer.
WATER

KI singled out the lack of electricity as the major impediment for residents in eastern Aleppo. Shortages in water
tanks, water treatment chemicals, and lack of resources to purchase bottled water, were also emphasised.

Priority interventions to mitigate water issues were identified by KI to be electricity, along with water tanks, to store
water when it is available, and the diggings of new wells. However, shortages in chemicals to purify existing wells
would still be a constraint preventing access to new wells.
14

U F E A - REACH Resource Centre

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