Spotlight

	MDGs Syria 2010: main findings, Challenges and Strategic Interventions 2010-09-02 Introduction The MDGs are a set of eight goals to be achieved by 2015 by the 189 nations that signed the Millennium ... More »
	The 3rd National Report on MDGS in Syria Launched 2010-08-05 Aleppo – 5 Aug 2010, Under the Patronage of H. E. Prime Minister, Eng. Mohammad Naji Ottri, the State Planning Commission in cooperation with the ... More »
	Refocus: Training Programme in Photography for Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian adolescents 2010-07-26 UNICEF and Youth Union are conducting “Refocus “ workshops which are focused on using participatory photography as a tool of expression. In the first part ... More »
	Launching the UNDAF Process in the Syrian Arab Republic 2010-07-14 DAMASCUS, 13 July 2010 – The preparation process of the second UN Development Assistance Development Framework (UNDAF 2012-2016) for Syria was officially launched today. Dr ... More »
	Opening the MDR-TB treatment centre "Al Hareth" 2010-07-06 Within the activities of the project entitled “Support the National TB Programme in the Syrian Arab Republic”, and in cooperation with the National Tuberculosis Programme ... More »
	SYRIA: Act now to stop desertification, says FAO 2010-06-29 DAMASCUS, (IRIN) - An irreversible degeneration of some of Syria’s landmass could occur because of three consecutive years of drought, warns the Food and Agriculture Organization ... More »
	World Refugee Week 2010 launched in Damascus 2010-06-21 Syria hosted UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and a week of cultural events in honour of more than 40 million uprooted people around ... More »
	World Environments Day 2010: Many Species. One Planet. One Future Photo Exhibition 2010-06-09 Under the theme “Many Species. One Planet. One Future.”, the Ministry of State for Environment Affairs, the United Nations and the European Union are celebrating ... More »
	UNRWA Lays the Foundations for a New Neirab 2010-06-01 UNRWA’s Neirab Rehabilitation Project (NRP) has entered an exciting new stage as contractors begin work on new residential units for 12 Palestinian refugee families in ... More »
	Palestinian Singer Marwan Abado Performs For UNRWA@60 2010-05-20 Marwan Abado, the acclaimed Palestinian singer and ‘oud player, commemorates UNRWA’s 60th anniversary this week with performances on 18 May at Damascus Opera House and ... More »
	Swiss musicians raise funds for refugees in Damascus 2010-05-18 Thomas Füri, James Alexander and Moncef Genoud donate concert funds for UNHCR’s financial assistance programme to refugees. DAMASCUS, Syria, May 17 (UNHCR) – ... More »
	Palestinian children showcase their talents in Bosra 2010-05-06 Tourists looked on in surprise as Palestinian schoolchildren from all over Syria flooded into Bosra amphitheatre to perform their annual Cinderella show on 16 April. ... More »
	UNRWA Open Day Showcases New Initiatives 2010-05-05 UNRWA’s Damascus Training Centre (DTC) celebrated its annual Open Day today, 4 May, to showcase achievements in technical and vocational training, to promote its youth ... More »
	National immunization week kicks off 2010-04-26 Drive to hit 100% coverage figure behind Syria’s eighth national immunization week DAMASCUS, SYRIA, 25 April 2010 – The Syrian Arabic Republic is ... More »
	Children go for gold at football tournament 2010-04-14 Spirits were high as a group of Palestinian schoolchildren stormed onto the field on 26 and 27 March for the annual UNRWA-JICA Football Cup. Eight ... More »
	(Will We Meet): young filemmakers commpetition to mark World Refugee Day 2010-04-07 To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is holding a short-film competition. If you are an ... More »
	UNHCR sees deepening needs among Iraqi refugees even as world interest wanes 2010-04-01 BEIRUT, DAMASCUS, AMMAN, March 30 (UNHCR) – Seven years after the start of the Iraq war, the future of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi ... More »
	International Women's Day: Extraordinary Stories of Women in Syria 2010-03-10 Under the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”, the United Nations in Syria in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs ... More »
	A €4 MILLION EURO RICE SHIPMENT ARRIVES IN SYRIA THANKS TO AN ITALIAN DONATION TO WFP 2010-02-18 DAMASCUS – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a shipment of nearly 7,000 metric tons of rice, part of a €6.4 million ... More »
	UNICEF and EU Complete Training Programme for Janitorial Staff from Rural Damascus 2010-02-09 Damascus, 7 February, 2010 – In collaboration with the Syrian Ministry of Education, UNICEF and the European Union (EU) have completed an ambitious training programme ... More »
	Closure of Al Tanf camp where Palestinian refugees from Iraq were stranded since 2006 2010-02-04 Damascus, Syria, February 2 (UNHCR) __ After almost four years, the UN Refugee Agency in cooperation with the Syrian authorities succeeds in closing Al Tanf ... More »
	2010 Regional Response Plan for Iraqi Refugees launched in Syria 2010-01-18 Humanitarian and development actors gather in Damascus to discuss coordinated response to Iraqi refugee crisis in the region DAMASCUS, Syria, January 18 (UNHCR) ... More »
	Workshop on the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism 2010-01-17 Damascus, January 17th 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office ... More »
	Shelter for Victims of Trafficking Opens in Syria 2010-01-06 A new shelter that will provide assistance to female victims of trafficking in Syria will open in Aleppo, Syria, on 7 January. The ... More »
	Psychosocial support and mental health master training launched for senior health professionals and frontline workers 2009-12-15 Master class set to advance the agenda of psychosocial support and mental health services in Syria DAMASCUS, Syria December 14 – A year ... More »
	SYRIA: Poverty fuels child labour among Iraqi refugees 2009-12-15 DAMASCUS, 14 December 2009 (IRIN) - Aseel Ali*, aged 16, and her mother - both refugees from Iraq - earn just enough (US$174 per month ... More »
	Sheikha Hessa AI Thani of Qatar advocates for more regional support and solidarity towards refugees from Iraq 2009-12-14 DAMASCUS, Syria, December 12 (UNHCR) - Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Bin Hamad AI Thani of Qatar concluded a three-day visit to Syria and Iraq on ... More »
	Celebrating Music and Children – Thanks to Italian support 2009-12-14 The beautiful voices of refugee children singing Syrian, Palestinian, Iraqi and Italian songs delighted guests at the Italian Salesian Theatre in Damascus. The concert celebrated ... More »
	Middle Eastern and North African celebrities and children celebrate child rights 2009-12-04 AMMAN, Jordan, 25 November 2009 – It started as a wild idea: to bring stars from across the Middle East and North Africa to deliver ... More »
	Syrian Women's Union and UNHCR inaugurate centre to empower refugee 2009-11-26 Opening of women’s empowerment centre coincides with anniversary of UN convention condemning all discrimination against women. DAMASCUS, Syria, November 25 (UNHCR) – A new centre ... More »
	Iraqi refugee art goes under the hammer at Damascus auction 2009-11-22 The Canadian Embassy and UNHCR Syria organise a silent auction of Iraqi refugee art at the Four Seasons in Damascus. DAMASCUS, Syria, November ... More »
	Two new schools for Iraqis and Syrians open doors in Jaramana 2009-11-16 US$1.5mln project will provide more primary and secondary school places in Damascus suburb with large Iraqi population. DAMASCUS, Syria, November 16 (UNHCR) – ... More »
	Why! UNRWA and Palestine Refugees after 60 Years 2009-11-01 The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Why! UNRWA and Palestine refugees after 60 Years” at ... More »
	WFP launches mobile phone-based food Voucher pilot for Iraqi refugees In Syria 2009-10-28 DAMASCUS – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched an electronic food voucher pilot project -- the first of its kind in the ... More »
	The United Nations in Syria celebrates UN Day 2009-10-27 DAMASCUS, 26 October 2009 – On the occasion of the 64th anniversary, and under the patronage of H.E. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. ... More »
	UNRWA and UNICEF come together for Global Peace Games in Yarmouk 2009-10-05 Damascus, 29th of September2009; the 2009 Global Peace Games for Children and Youth were held today at the Palestinian Athletics City in Yarmouk, Damascus. The ... More »
	Marking her way to the top 2009-09-27 She is 15 years old, yet her hazel colored eyes reflect wisdom and integrity, something that one may think only comes with age but in ... More »
	Boiled potatoes for Iftar 2009-09-24 "Boiled potatoes and mjedara. That's what we ate for iftar last night," says Adibeh Aisey Moustafa, tears streaming down her face. "We are fasting, and ... More »
	Workshop in Syria Covering Referral Systems For Victims of Human Trafficking 2009-08-24 Under the patronage of the Syrian Government and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, the IOM held a workshop in Damascus Syria in August ... More »
	Syrian Women's Union and UNHCR sign agreement to empower refugee women 2009-08-23 New centre set to cater to refugee survivors ofgender-based violence DAMASCUS (UNHCR) - The Syrian Women's Union and the UN Refugee Agency have forged a ... More »
	Hand In Hand for a Better Future 2009-08-20 Damascus, 18th August 2009, after two year’s work, the Syrian Commission of Family Affairs (SCFA) in collaboration with UNICEF concluded the report on the Situation ... More »
	South African Embassy in Syria donates computers for Alliance Women\'s Programme Centre 2009-08-14 Damascus, 10 August 2009 The South African Embassy in Damascus celebrated South African Women’s Day today by donating eleven computers to UNRWA for ... More »
	UNHCR Protection Workshop highlights refugee issues in Syria 2009-08-14 Damascus - UNHCR’s “Refugee Issues and International Protection” workshop came to a close on Thursday (August 13), after three days of presentations and debates by ... More »
	Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories Concludes Visit to Cairo, Amman and Damascus 2009-08-13 Damascus, 13 August 2009: Committee members express concern about the human rights situation in the occupied territories, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank including ... More »
	First international Advanced Life Support training course in Syria 2009-07-31 UNHCR supports first international Advanced Life Support training course for Syrian medics at Al-Basel Heart Institute. Damascus, Syria (July 30) - Al-Bassel Heart Institute, the ... More »
	UNHCR increases support for joint SARC food and health assistance efforts 2009-07-24 UNHCR inaugurates Harasta warehouse and hands over vehicles to Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Damascus, Syria (July 23) – UNHCR Syria inaugurated a new ... More »
	The Regional Near East Office of the Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Organizes in Syria A Sub-Regional Training Course on Desert Locust Survey and Control Operations From 5 - 15 July 2009 2009-07-05 Cairo, 2 July 2009: The FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region will organize a Sub-regional Training Course on Desert Locust ... More »
	UNICEF Executive Director Concludes Successful Syria visit 2009-06-29 But talks of continued challenges in the face of change… DAMASCUS, 30 June 2009 - UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman concluded a landmark tour of ... More »
	FAO Starts Evaluation of Repercussions of Dryness in Syria Today 2009-06-17 Damascus, (SANA)- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) delegation will evaluate the repercussions of dryness in Syria and the requirements of the areas which were exposed ... More »
	Simon Shaheen performs for World Refugee Day and Gaza Children 2009-06-17 Palestinian 'oud player Simon Shaheen graced the stage of the Dar al Assad Opera House on 16 June in a concert to commemorate World Refugee ... More »
	ESCWA Conference on the Information Society in Damascus 2009-06-15 ESCWA holds a conference entitled Follow-up to the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes in Western Asia in Damascus between 16 and 18 June 2009, to track ... More »
	Goal for Friendship 2009-06-11 UNRWA – JICA Football Cup in Damascus . As the sun burned off the early morning chill, young Palestine refugees coming from five different cities entered ... More »
	secretary-general’s message for world environment day stresses power of billions, joined in common purpose through concrete individual actions 2009-06-08 Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Environment Day, to be observed on 5 June: The economic and financial turmoil sweeping ... More »
	Syrian Youth Committed to Combat Climate Change– Honoring the Winners of Climate Change Competition 2009-06-04 DAMASCUS, 04 June 2009 – Under the patronage of her Excellency the Minister of the State Ministry for Environment Affairs, Dr. Kawkab Sabah Al Dayeh ... More »
	Hend Sabry, Film Star and WFP Celebrity Partner, Comforts Iraqi Refugees 2009-06-01 Two Iraqi refugee households in the Syrian capital Damascus recently received an early morning visit from the Arab world’s young film star and WFP celebrity ... More »
	Knight International, UNDP launch first online network for young journalists in Syria 2009-05-31 The first online network for young journalists launched in Syria this week. Called Tawasul - Arabic for 'connecting' - the network features multimedia stories on social ... More »
	The Food And Agriculture Organization Organizes a Regional Meeting on “Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Management in the Near East Region” in Damascus, Syria from 25 – 28 May 2009 2009-05-24 Cairo, 24 May 2009: The Regional Office for the Near East of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will organize, in collaboration ... More »
	International Day of Families: Mothers and Families, Challenges in a Changing World 2009-05-14 THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 15 May 2009 This year’s International Day of Families, being commemorated ... More »
	ESCWA Damascus Forum: Countering the Repercussions of the Economic Crisis 2009-05-13 ESCWA Executive Secretary Bader Omar AlDafa noted in the opening of the "Regional High-Level Consultative Forum on the Impacts of the International Financial Crisis on ... More »
	UNICEF and EU complete Education Support Project with Syrian Ministry of Education 2009-05-11 Damascus, 10 May 2009- The Ministry of Education and UNICEF have completed an education project to rehabilitate and provide supplies to 140 schools in Rural ... More »
	Launching the Syrian version of Facts for Life book and Under Five mortality Causes Report 2009-05-10 Damascus, 7 May 2009, in collaboration with Ministry of Health- MOH, UNICEF is launching today Facts for Life book, Syrian edition, and Under Five mortality ... More »
	Preparedness vital as confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) increase – UN 2009-05-03 The United Nations health agency today stressed the importance of preparedness for a possible global pandemic, as the number of laboratory confirmed cases of the ... More »
	UNRWA in Syria collects US$ 4,1 Million for Gaza 2009-04-27 UNRWA announced today, that it has raised US$4,1 million (195,000,000 Million Syrian Pounds) for the Children of Gaza campaign launched in Syria on 12 January. ... More »
	Launching the first State of Syria Population Report (SSPR) 2009-04-26 Under the patronage of H.E, Prime Minister Mr. Mohamed Naji Otri, SCFA with the support of UNFPA is launching the first State of Syria Population ... More »
	Iraqi women frame the human reality of conflict 2009-04-14 The Daily Star : 'Open Shutters Iraq' turns pain and loss into a creative project By Olivia Snaije Every once in a while a ... More »
	Women’s Empowerment & Poverty Alleviation Project launches its first round of loans disbursement in the governorates of Dara’a, Raqqa and Lattakia 2009-04-07 Within the framework of the Women’s Empowerment & Poverty Alleviation Project jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor & the United Nations ... More »
	Playing for Peace 2009-03-23 As a unique part of the National Fundraising Campaign for the Children of Gaza, Syrian band Kulna Sawa performed three concerts in February at the ... More »
	International Women’s Day Syria 2009: my story, your story 2009-03-13 International Women’s Day is marked on March 8th every year. It is a day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements ... More »
	Syrians continue to raise funds for The Children of Gaza campaign 2009-03-11 It is the beginning of February and despite the artillery stopping its frantic fire above the Gaza Strip, Syrian people still remember December 27 when ... More »
	Drought exacerbates economic woes 2009-03-09 A record three-year drought which has decimated the agriculture sector, which accounts for 23 percent of Syria’s gross domestic product (GDP), is compounding the country’s ... More »
	Syrian National Symphony Orchestra and Syrian Military Band Help Gaza Children 2009-02-15 Classical music lovers helped rebuild the lives of those affected by the Israeli offensive in Gaza when attending a Syrian National Symphony Orchestra concert performed ... More »
	Syrians join hands with Palestinians through For the Children of Gaza campaign 2009-01-27 It is mid-January and Damascus is not as cold as usual. Certainly the winter is at its height and the thermometer drops sharply after the ... More »
	UN chief Ban arrives for Gaza talks in Syria 2009-01-18 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, on a tour of the Middle East devoted to seeking a permanent truce in Gaza, arrived Sunday in Damascus where ... More »
	Students mobilize in support of Gaza 2009-01-13 Students in all government and UNRWA schools across the country stood together yesterday in a solemn show of support to their fellow students in Gaza ... More »
	Children demonstration in front of the United Nations building 2009-01-12 Children of the institutes of the General Authority for Palestinian Arab Refugees in Syria, who demonstrated in front of the United Nations building, carrying a ... More »
	Young Iraqi and Palestinian musicians perform together 2008-12-30 On the 15 December more than fifty refugee children performed in a special musical evening organized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN ... More »
	Activities for Children Raise Environmental Awareness – The Way to a Greener Future 2008-12-28 “Plastic contains chemicals, chemicals give you cancer, and from cancer you die”, Tamara, 12, explains in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. Her reply is the ... More »
	IVD – canvas bags raise awareness of the environment 2008-12-10 By Sarah Birke One of the biggest environmental problems facing Syria is the number of plastic bags. From the old city souqs to the shops of ... More »
	Message of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Day 2008-12-08 December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this historic occasion, we should reaffirm the fundamental principles that its ... More »
	“Lead – Empower – Deliver" HIV Day 1 December 2008 2008-12-01 by Jehad Yacoub HIV/AIDS Regional Project Management On this twentieth World AIDS Day, we are at the dawn of a new era. Fewer ... More »
	Celebrating the International Volunteer Day, December 5th 2008 2008-11-30 Since 1985, the International Volunteer Day (IVD) has been celebrated around the world by governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies and, of course, volunteers. They ... More »
	Launching of the National Center for the Coordination of Disaster Management 2008-11-24 The National Center for the Coordination of Disaster Management was launched in the Saruja area with the participation of a group of international experts in ... More »
	UN seeks $7 billion in humanitarian aid for 2009, by far its largest ever appeal 2008-11-21 9 November 2008 – The United Nations today launched its largest ever annual humanitarian appeal, seeking $7 billion for urgent aid to 30 million people ... More »
	UN Day Syria Celebration 2008-10-29 Arabic Report Syria stresses its commitment to development through international cooperation As one of 51 founding members of the United Nations, Syria has observed ... More »
	The United Nations in Syria celebrates UN Day 2008-10-24 On the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the United Nations, and under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Walid Al – Mouallem, Minister of Foreign ... More »
	MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY 2008-10-17 The theme of this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – “Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty” – recalls the ... More »
	SYRIA: Livelihoods at risk as UN appeals for US$20 million 2008-10-07 DAMASCUS, 7 October 2008 (IRIN) - Some 150,000 farmers have lost their harvest this season, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian ... More »
	UNITED NATIONS LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR AID TO SYRIA 2008-10-01 The United Nations today launched an appeal for $ 20,228,570 to work with governmental partners and non-governmental organisations to help up to one million drought ... More »
	At the midpoint towards 2015 Achievements and challenges in the Arab regions pursuit to realize the MDGs 2008-09-25 Amat Al Alim Alsoswa* At the Millennium Summit in 2000, world leaders made an ambitious, but critical promise. They went beyond imprecise proclamations on the urgent ... More »
	Illiteracy Has a Direct Impact on Human Health 2008-09-08 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message on International Literacy Day, 8 September 2008 VIENNA, 8 September (UN Information Service) -- One in five adults - some ... More »
	International Youth Day “Youth and climate change: time for action” 2008-08-12 Message of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director 12 August 2008 On International Youth Day, let us recognize the potential of youth in tackling the ... More »
	More Than 142,000 Iraqi Refugees receive food rations in syria 2008-07-24 Damascus, 24July 2008--The UN Refugee Agency(UNHCR), the World Food Programme(WFP) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent(SARC)this week finished the fifth round of fooddistribution, benefiting more ... More »
	Exile, Exclusion and Isolation: the Palestine Refugee Experience 2008-07-01 Op Ed by Karen AbuZayd, Commissioner-General United Nations Relief and ... More »
	UNHCR Protection Workshop highlights refugee issues in Syria 0000-00-00 Regional legal experts and Government officials discuss enhancing protection space for refugees in Syria Damascus, Syria (August 13) – UNHCR’s “Refugee Issues and International Protection” ... More »