Government of Japan and UN-Habitat join forces to support earthquake recovery in most impacted Governorates in Syria

Nairobi, 16 May 2023 -- A pivotal agreement was signed today between the Government of Japan and UN-Habitat, securing a substantial financing commitment of JPY 930 million (about USD 6.7 million) towards the crucial earthquake recovery initiative, "Integrated Support for Post-earthquake Early Recovery and Resilience-building in Aleppo and Latakia".

In February, the northern regions of Syria and southern Türkiye were rocked by a series of harsh tremors, culminating in a 7.7 magnitude quake. This seismic event stands out as one of the most intense in the region's history, spanning the last century. The impact was catastrophic, with over 56,000 lives tragically lost, widespread destruction, and the displacement of millions. The brunt of human loss and material damage was shouldered by Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Idleb Governorates in Syria. This disaster has further deepened the protracted humanitarian crisis spurred by the conflict and subsequent population displacements.

The central goal of this project is to support the integrated recovery from the earthquake, simultaneously strengthening the resilience of the affected and vulnerable communities in Aleppo and Latakia. This will be achieved through three interrelated actions. First, an integrated damage database will be developed to provide a basis for prioritizing recovery interventions. Second, with the participation of communities, the project will assist in the formulation of a recovery plan for the target locations to ensure area-based recovery support.

This plan will encompass a wide range of recovery needs, such as housing restoration and the restoration of basic services, along with the development of a community disaster risk reduction plan. This plan will set a blueprint for resilient communities capable of withstanding future natural disasters. Then, prioritized infrastructure for basic services such as water supply, wastewater systems, and public spaces will be restored. In addition, a rehabilitation plan will be formulated for the repair of selected damaged buildings. With this intervention, the residents of Aleppo and Latakia will have sustainable access to essential services and secure housing.

This project is set to reach approximately 390,000 individuals in Aleppo and an additional 90,000 in Latakia, creating a glimmer of hope in the midst of destruction.

This article was edited on 7 December 2023 to rectify the amount of funding by the Government of Japan.