Doha: Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) has accomplished winterization projects jointly with Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) for the benefit of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Syria, at an overall cost of $1 million (QR 3.65 million).
One project was initiated by QRCS and KRCS to deliver 10,000 blankets to 10,000 families in western Aleppo countryside and Idlib, at a cost of $100,000. So far, 243 have been distributed at three IDP camps of Sarmada, Idlib.
Originally, it was planned to deliver 8,000 blankets, but budget adjustments raised the number to 10,000, which have already been procured and stored at QRCS's warehouse in Al-Dana Town.
Under the Warm Winter Campaign 2016-17, a project in in progress to secure 250,000 liters of heating oil and 11,000 kids winter clothing bags for children of the 4-14 age group.
Each bag contains a winter jacket, a sweater, an icecap, a wool scarf, gloves, shoes, socks, and cotton trousers. The total budget is $400,000.
Till now, 110,820 liters of heating oil have been distributed to 4,605 families (22,385 people), with each family receiving 20 liters.
Numerous districts and towns have been covered in Rif Dimashq, southern Damascus, northern Homs countryside, Idlib IDP camps, and northern Hama countryside.
These distributions are estimated to benefit 42,250 local community members and inhabitants of IDP shelter camps, with a view to protect them against the cold weather, reduce morbidity and mortality rates among children, and encourage the families to send their kids to school.
Prior to the distribution process, QRCS and KRCS personnel made regular visits to the displacement destinations to assess the needs and document the conditions of target populations.
The routes and trends of displacement are closely monitored for quick response in the areas receiving newcomers.
A special focus is given to the most vulnerable IDPs like widows, orphans, people with special needs, and families with female breadwinners.
