2010 UNHCR country operations profile - Syrian Arab Republic

Working environment

The Syrian Arab Republic hosts a large number of displaced people from Iraq, including some Palestinians. Indeed, Iraqi refugees in Syria constitute one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Syria also hosts some 10,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, mainly Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Somalia and Sudan.

The generous attitude of the Government and people of Syria has allowed UNHCR, with the support of the international community, to build a favourable protection environment in the country. In the absence of a formal legal framework, a tacit understanding allows refugees access to assistance, basic education and primary health care.

While new and stricter visa requirements were introduced for Iraqis at the end 2007, and residence permits are only issued for short periods of time, Iraqis have largely been able to remain in the country. However, there have been reports of some detention and deportation in 2009. The authorities have shown some tolerance towards refugees working in the informal market, although they are barred from formal employment. Officials have also grown more receptive to UNHCR-issued documents.

Working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, UNHCR has increased opportunities to assist refugees. This protection space has been carved out through advocacy and awareness-raising. It has been bolstered by UNHCR's direct assistance to refugees and support for the Syrian education and health care systems, as well as the resettlement of many refugees. Nonetheless, the lack of a proper legal framework in Syria, coupled with an ongoing insecurity in the countries of origin, has given rise to uncertainty among many refugees about their future.

The needs

The number of Iraqis approaching UNHCR for registration has gone down, but still amounts to thousands each month. Some 39 per cent of those registered have specific needs. Although some refugees have returned home spontaneously, there have not been any large-scale returns, and UNHCR has only helped some 1,200 individuals in this regard. In 2009, a survey of return intentions confirmed that most refugees are not yet ready to return to Iraq.

From 2007 to mid-2009, UNHCR referred some 33,000 Iraqis for resettlement; another 32,000 who have not yet been referred are considered eligible for this durable solution. Local integration is not an option in Syria. As their stay in Syria lengthens, many Iraqi refugees are becoming vulnerable because their savings are running out and the cost of living is rising, while they have few or no opportunities for employment. UNHCR is concerned that this is leading to unsustainable returns to Iraq. International assistance is needed so that the basic needs of more than 168,000 people registered with UNHCR can be met and their protection space preserved.

The lack of livelihood opportunities affects non-Iraqi refugees as well. For instance, many Palestinian refugees in the Al Tanf and Al Hol camps are entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance for their survival.

Main objectives

Favourable protection environment

• Continue efforts to maintain and expand protection space.

• Contribute to the prevention and reduction of statelessness by supporting the Government and raising awareness of the issue.

Fair protection processes

• Provide legal assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers facing legal challenges or at risk of deportation.

Security from violence and exploitation

• Prevent and respond to abuse and exploitation, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Basic needs and services

• Provide refugees with assistance to meet their basic needs, while targeting assistance to people with specific needs, such as women, adolescents, children, older people and survivors of torture or gender-based violence.

• Support national institutions that provide services to refugees and asylum-seekers.

Community participation and self-management

• Enhance community mobilization, self-reliance and self-management efforts.

Durable solutions

• Promote resettlement as a durable solution for the most vulnerable refugees.

Key targets for 2010

• Documentation is provided to all those who approach UNHCR for registration and are in need of protection.

• Cash assistance is provided to some 17,000 families, 13,000 of which were identified in 2009 as most at risk.

• Targeted skills training is provided to 5,000 people.

• Primary health care is provided to all registered refugees.

• Some 25,000 refugee children are assisted to complete their basic education.

• Up to 20,000 people are provided with repatriation assistance.

• Resettlement referrals are made for more than 16,500 refugees.

• Social and psychological support is provided to more than 18,000 survivors of gender-based violence, victims of trauma and torture, and women at risk.

• The proportion of the refugee population with access to legal remedies is increased from 20 to 70 per cent.

• Multi-sectoral support is given to all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Strategy and activities

UNHCR will work with the Government to ensure that a favourable protection environment is maintained. Through advocacy, workshops and partnerships with civil society it will help the Government to establish a national legal framework for refugees. Registration and renewal of the UNHCR certificate are the main means of ensuring that refugees have appropriate documentation. In 2009, some 2,000 people have registered with UNHCR each month.

In 2010, UNHCR aims to refer some 6,000 families for resettlement. It also expects to assist more refugees to return than in 2009; however, its return capacity is limited.

Some 168,000 registered Iraqi refugees will need basic assistance. UNHCR will also provide cash grants to help families to pay for accommodation, food and medication. Safe houses will continue to welcome refugee women and girls at risk of abuse and exploitation, while psycho-social counselling will be offered to some 800 victims of gender-based violence and exploitation. Community-based programmes will be enhanced through the development of eight community centres.

As the health needs of Iraqi refugees are considerable, UNHCR will ensure that all registered refugees have access to primary health care, while more than 20,000 people are referred to other health services. UNHCR will equip and rehabilitate some 30 health facilities.

Refugee children's enrolment in primary and secondary schools will be monitored to encourage approximately 34,000 children to pursue their education in 2010. Some 30 schools will be supported with furniture and school materials. Non-formal educational activities will benefit some 7,000 children, and 300 students will receive grants to study at university.

UNHCR will reach out to the urban refugee population through its network of volunteers, social workers and community centres, which will provide information and counselling, follow-up and referrals.

UNHCR will provide protection-related services to all non-Iraqi refugees and, on a case-by-case basis, give specific assistance to the most vulnerable among them. In addition, it will assist those who wish to regularize their residency in Syria. Basic assistance, on a par with that provided to Iraqi refugees, will also be provided. Given that the only viable long-term solution for the majority of these refugees is resettlement, UNHCR plans to refer 100 families (500 individuals) for this durable solution.

By the end of 2009, the majority of Palestinian refugees in the Al Tanf and Al Hol camps will have been resettled to third counties or referred for resettlement. The Al Tanf camp will be closed by the end of 2009 and the remaining population transferred to Al Hol. However, it is anticipated that some 300 people in this group will still need to be referred for resettlement. UNHCR will provide food, health and education services and ensure that the remaining camp population enjoys satisfactory sanitary conditions.

UNHCR will continue to advocate for the prevention and reduction of statelessness. Furthermore, in 2010 it plans to lobby for the implementation of the relevant international treaties ratified by the Government, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

Constraints

The protection space remains uncertain and local integration unlikely, while interest in the plight of refugees is on the wane. Moreover, regional political developments could have a negative impact on refugees in the country.

Organization and implementation

UNHCR has a presence in Damascus, Aleppo and Hassake and serves other areas through its mobile teams and missions.

Coordination

UNHCR works closely with relevant government institutions, UN agencies and national and international organizations. A consolidated action plan outlining the strategic priorities in addressing refugee needs is due at the end of 2009. UNHCR advocates for refugee issues to be integrated into the Common Country Assessment/ United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Financial information

The budget for UNHCR in Syria, increased as of 2007 to enable the Office to ensure protection and basic humanitarian assistance for growing numbers of Iraqi refugees. In 2008 and 2009, the budget further increased to meet the growing needs of Iraqi refugees residing in Syria, particularly through the provison of health care, education and services for those with specific needs. The 2010 budget foresees increased humanitarian assistance, particularly through expanded community-based activities.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2010-2011