Although Syria has been on the brink of civil war for almost a year, Damascus has been spared the turmoil that exists elsewhere. In fact, the project of Caritas and the FPSC, funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development to support the Iraqi refugee population in the capital, is developing as planned, albeit with minor changes: in the early 2012, due to the volatile situation and the explosion of a bomb in an intelligence post in Damascus, fear has increased among the local population and made both the Iraqi families and staff of Caritas. Caritas director asked that the activities are undertaken on Sunday instead of Friday, as this is a day of increased risk for being more common among the majority of public and private institutions in the country.
In addition, January saw the start of the health care program, in order to provide the Iraqi people an adequate and affordable health coverage through an agreement between Caritas and 10 doctors in different specialties.
On Wednesday, January 25, Caritas distributed the first set of non-food items from about 80 families, consisting of blankets and a heater. This support comes at the right time, because the winter in the capital is very hard for its desert climate. On the other hand, by the fact that power outages are common in Syria and last longer than 6 hours, the Government is taking steps to adapt the blockade affecting the country and meet their need to save power as much as possible.
Iraqi students face another major challenge. Fleeing Iraq, most of them do not have time to order their school certifications that are required by the Syrian government to grant students the official titles G9 and G12. The project to develop FPSC and Caritas, classes for these students, the Government has admitted students for the exams, but postponed the delivery of corresponding diplomas until delivery is made relevant certifications in Iraq.