28 October 2022 | UNDSS Comms

Since the beginning of the Turkish military operations in October 2019, the Ras al-Ain area in Al Hasaka Governorate, Northeast Syria, had become inaccessible to humanitarian actors in Syria as the overall residual risk continued to stay as "unacceptable". With the situation slightly improving to allow the conduct of missions, on 27 October 2022, UN Security in Syria enabled an Inter-Agency Programme Criticality mission to Ras al-Ain to support the delivery of Leishmaniasis medicines, cholera kits, distributing hygiene materials and assess the needs of the local population at Ras Al-Ain's hospital. This is the first mission enabled by UNDSS since the area closed in October 2019 after the Turkish military operation and it estimated that around 30,000 people are likely to benefit from the assistance.

UNICEF, WHO and UNDSS led the mission. UNOCHA’s Access Unit coordinated the safe passage of the convoy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) while UNDSS guided the Inter-Agency teams involved throughout the delivery process. "UNDSS prepared Ad-Hoc Security Rick Management (SRM) to establish the possible threats that the mission may face and to take the needed safety and security measures. Moreover, UNDSS prepared the Mission Security Clearance Request (MSCR) of the mission along with the Concept of Operation (CONOPS) for final approval by the Executive Directors of UNICEF, WFP and UNDSS USG," said Nathan Danqua, Chief Security Adviser in Syria. 

Before the mission, UNDSS' Area Security Adviser (ASA) in Qamishli, Abid Sheraz, held several coordination meetings to ensure that all security related measures were in place and explored the best options to respond to any security situation during the mission. "In every cross-line mission to 'very high risk' level areas, participants wear their Personnel Protection Equipment’s (PPEs) and specific instructions are given to drivers while passing by the buffer-zone and Non-State Armed Groups controlled areas," said Mr. Sheraz. A back-up team remained on standby at the last Government checkpoint to intervene if needed. Communication was one of the main challenges since after crossing the border, satellite phone remained the only communication mean to contact the base. 

More missions will be planned in the coming months to the same area.