UNDP says $14.8 billion needed for post-quake recovery in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The February earthquakes affected 8.8 million people in several areas in Syria, displacing more than 470,000 people and more than 6.2 million others need protection, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on May 15.
100 days after the quake, the UNDP stressed that the recovery will cost $14.8 billion over the next three years.
UNDP’s approach “Whole of Syria” helps communities restore normalcy, focusing on getting basic services and infrastructure up and running and assisting people to find dignified work, according to the UN agency.
About 137,000 cubic meters of debris will be removed with support from Japan, SCHF. Over 16,946 cubic meters has been cleared so far, creating 520 temporary jobs and improving access to over 1.9 million people, according to the UNDP.
Recovery will be long and difficult, and without adequate resources and a strategic approach, many more people will require humanitarian assistance by 2024, according to the agency.
On May 17, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) also reported that 3.7 million in Syria need continued humanitarian assistance, and appealed for $172.7 million to meet the lifesaving needs of nearly three million earthquake-affected children in Syria.
The UNICEF also stressed that severe damage to water and sewage infrastructure has put 6.5 million people at an elevated risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera.
The UN agency estimated that 51,000 children under the age of five are likely to suffer from moderate and severe acute malnutrition, and 76,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women need treatment for acute malnutrition.
The agency mentioned that about two million children have had their education disrupted, as many schools still being used as shelters.