About

UNICEF has launched a call for expressions of interest for the project “Providing Health and Nutrition services (children and women) for returnees, host communities and IDPs in Homs and Hama.”

The focus is child health, health - general, health in emergencies, health systems strengthening, maternal and newborn health including emergency obstetric care, reproductive health services, infant and young child feeding, malnutrition prevention and treatment, micronutrients, nutrition - general, and nutrition in emergencies.

After fourteen years of crisis, Syria remains among the most complex humanitarian emergencies in the world. The fall of the former government in December 2024 has opened opportunities for recovery but has also left the health system extremely vulnerable. Hospitals and primary healthcare centers are functioning at limited capacity, with severe shortages of staff, supplies, and referral systems. Compounded by successive crises such as COVID-19, cholera outbreaks, and the 2023 earthquake, the risks of preventable diseases remain high. More than 16.5 million people, including 7.4 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance, with maternal and child health services critically restricted, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas.

Nutrition indicators have worsened dramatically, with wasting and stunting rates rising and dietary diversity declining. Anemia is widespread among both children and women, while neonatal mortality accounts for half of all under-five deaths. Urgent interventions are needed to expand community-based care, improve maternal and child health services, and strengthen the capacity of health workers to meet these needs.

The project will deliver life-saving health and nutrition services through primary healthcare consultations, free medicines, vaccination checks, referrals, and health promotion. Community-based initiatives will include counseling for infant and young child feeding, early detection of malnutrition using the Family MUAC approach, and treatment of severe wasting in children. Preventive measures will cover micronutrient supplementation, deworming, and anemia prevention for pregnant and lactating women. Integrated early childhood development services will track milestones and provide counseling, while social and behavior change campaigns will promote positive health practices and challenge harmful norms.

Service delivery will be supported through fixed clinics, mobile teams, and outreach volunteers, with rehabilitation and solarization of public health facilities to improve sustainability. The approach emphasizes inclusion of children with disabilities, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and gender-sensitive strategies that ensure equitable access for women and men.

Eligibility

Partners are expected to align activities with UNICEF standards and national protocols while demonstrating strong local presence, coordination with the Ministry of Health, and proven experience in delivering health and nutrition interventions in Syria.

Post Date: August 19, 2025