German Society for International Cooperation GIZ GmbH Tender Result

The health care sector is one of the most important and fragile service sectors in Syria. Since the outbreak of the war, health care facilities have been targets of bombing leaving only about 55% of them still operational. Due to the destruction of infrastructure and the specific attacks on medical staff, over half of the medical personnel have left the country or are no longer working. As a consequence, access to health care is severely restricted everywhere and for all population groups. The ongoing hostilities place enormous mental strain on the Syrian population and internally displaced persons (IDPs). They have suffered violence for many years, have had to fear for their lives and have only few economic resources left. Millions of Syrians suffer from medical disorders to which the present health care system cannot respond adequately. The provision of medical services and psychosocial support is insufficient. Therefore the programme: Promoting Employment in the Health Sector and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (PEMS) was established in 2017 with the goal of improving access to medical care and psychosocial support for local populations and IDP in selected parts of Syria. The programme strategy is based on conducting cash-for-work measures to meet short-term needs and by financing the salaries of medical staff and administrative personnel in the health sector to secure jobs and maintain health care in selected governorates. Additionally, the programme supports basic and continuing education, training, and the employment of a wide range of health workers, such as psychosocial workers (PSWs), doctors, community health workers and referral and ambulance staff.