From the banks of the Euphrates to Safety ... A continuous Humanitarian Response Provided by GOPA-DERD’s team to Support Those Affected by the Flood in both Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa
With the rising water level of the Euphrates River and the widespread damage caused by the flooding to homes and residential neighborhoods in both Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates, GOPA-DERD’s team, was on the ground from the first hours of the flooding to help the affected families.
The team implemented field interventions that included helping residents reach safe places after the floodwaters reached homes in neighborhoods adjacent to the river, contributing to shelter, and providing medical and psychological support.
GOPA-DERD’s team, in cooperation with the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor in Deir ez-Zor, also carried out cleaning and equipping work on the schools that were designated as temporary shelter centers for those affected.
In turn, GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team equipped a medical and emergency services room, and a women’s clinic within one of the shelter centers, to provide support from the specialized medical team to the affected people in the shelter centers, and to the families that are arriving successively from the flood areas. In addition, awareness sessions and psychological support are provided.
The team also distributed essential feminine hygiene kits to the women.
As humanitarian interventions expanded to include affected areas in Raqqa Governorate. GOPA-DERD’s team, focused on assessing needs in cooperation with the Emergency and Disaster Directorate, and providing basic services to affected families, through field visits conducted by GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team to the affected neighborhoods flooded on the banks of the Euphrates River, where reproductive health services and psychological first aid were provided, in cooperation with UNFPA.
Continuing its humanitarian efforts to contain the repercussions of the crisis and mitigate its effects, particularly on children and women, GOPA-DERD’s team, continues to provide humanitarian services to those affected, focusing on the most vulnerable groups within shelter centers.
In this context, GOPA-DERD’s “SPACE” Center’s team in Deir ez-Zor, in cooperation with DKH, implemented a set of recreational activities for children within the shelter center, which included awareness sessions on the importance of hygiene.
The team also distributed personal hygiene kits to families after a needs assessment conducted by GOPA-DERD’s medical team.
On the journey from the flooded banks to safe places, the stories of those affected document the reality on the ground, and the effectiveness of the response is measured by the speed of access at critical moments.
”I was afraid of losing my child, but I felt safe after the team arrived.”
With these words, Mrs. Shamsah expressed her gratitude for the quick response of GOPA-DERD’s “Darb” Center’s team in Raqqa.
In dangerous conditions and after crossing the river by boat, GOPA-DERD’s team was able to reach the pregnant woman who was trapped with her child in her flooded home, and provide the necessary assistance and support to her and her child.
These ongoing efforts reflect the commitment of GOPA-DERD and its humanitarian partners to stand by those affected by the Euphrates River flooding, through a comprehensive response that takes into account the urgent and humanitarian needs of the affected families, and contributes to strengthening their ability to overcome the effects of the disaster and restore their sense of security and stability.