Syria Crisis: North East Syria - Situation Report No. 21 (1 – 31 January 2018)

Highlights

 An estimated 61,000 individuals reportedly returned to Ar-Raqqa city since the end of hostilities in October 2017, however the number of returnees remains difficult to verify.

 Explosive hazards contamination continues to hamper humanitarian access and poses a serious threat to the returning population. Whilst the scale and scope of the contamination is still not fully known given the absence of a systematic survey, on average there are up to 50 incidents per week reported in Ar-Raqqa city, which have resulted in deaths and injuries.

 In early February, following one month of restrictions for humanitarian actors to operate in Hassakeh, an initial two-month agreement was brokered with the local administration and the Governor of Hassakeh, whereby some national NGOs will be allowed to resume humanitarian response efforts.