Education and Health
Enabling dignity in urban displacement
The Coronavirus pandemic could prove devastating for war-displaced communities across the Middle East. Many displaced families live in overcrowded tented settlements, have limited access to running water for hand washing, and are unable to afford skyrocketing prices for basic hygiene items or out-of-pocket medical expenses. Health facilities in Syria have suffered immense damage during the war and those in neighboring host countries are also in need of personal protective equipment.
War in Syria is taking a catastrophic toll on the health of the civilian population. Expectant mothers lack critical obstetric care. Children face rising malnutrition rates and inadequate vaccines. According to Physicians for Human Rights, there have been 573 attacks on 350 health care facilities in Syria. Health care professionals lack safe underground hospitals. Aid agencies find it increasingly difficult to bring supplies and staff into Syria and to conduct medical evacuations from the country.
Host countries in the Middle East are struggling to absorb the influx of refugees. 43% of school-aged Syrian refugee children in the region are out of school, according to the KidsRights Foundation. In Lebanon, many Syrian refugee children struggle to access Lebanese schools owing to the language of instruction, capacity constraints, barriers to civil documentation, and inadequate funds to pay for transportation and supplies.
With little to no safety net and limited legal work opportunities, the most vulnerable refugees struggle to afford out-of-pocket medical costs for childbirth complications and chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac conditions.
RPI and its local implementing partners are working to meet these needs by:
- Providing regulated non-formal primary school education and early childhood education
- Supporting COVID-19 infection prevention and control at health facilities and community protection through medical screening, referrals for testing, hygiene kit distribution, and education
- Rehabilitating, equipping, and stocking key health facilities in war-torn Syria
- Providing medical case management and financial coverage for out-of-pocket expenses
- Conducting health screenings, treatment, awareness sessions, and referrals
Educating Vulnerable Syrians
In Lebanon, 3,010 refugee children received non-formal primary school and early childhood education.
Meeting Urgent Medical Needs
In Syria, 6,343 civilians received vital medicine supplies. In Lebanon, 10,250 refugees received medical/dental screening, treatment, referrals, and awareness sessions. Medical expenses were covered for 89 vulnerable refugees under case management in Lebanon. 85 received relief kits.
Strengthening Safe Medical Infrastructure
Rehabilitation of the underground Avicenna Maternal and Pediatric Hospital in Idlib, Syria was finalized with the infrastructural capacity to serve an estimated 56,160 patients per year. Medical and simulation equipment was sourced and provided.
Syrian children in Douma, Eastern Ghouta participating in an underground psychosocial support project implemented by RPI’s partner Aosus.
The Avicenna Children’s Hospital in Idlib, Syria, was rehabilitated, equipped, and moved underground for safety by RPI’s partner SIMRO.
RPI’s partner MAPS providing education to Syrian children displaced to Lebanon.
