Increase safe, hygienic, and protective learning spaces through rehabilitation of damaged schools from Syria Earthquake. ltpgtFollowing the deadly earthquakes that hit Syria on February 6th, the massive destruction of homes and buildings is devastating.  Several thousands of children were forced to leave behind their home and education. The earthquakes have also caused widespread damage to schools and other essential infrastructure, further jeopardizing the well-being of children and families. ltbrgtBesides the loss of homes, more than 100 schools are still being used as collective shelters with 70 in Aleppo, 24 in Latakia and 15 in Hama Governorates. In order to reopen, educational facilities would need to be rehabilitated. The Government plans to reduce the number of schools used as shelters and allow their return to being learning spaces. Child protection activities were suspended in schools used as collective shelters in Aleppo Governorate, following a decision from the Ministry of Education (MoE). All humanitarian actors providing these activities in schools used as collective shelters are required to register with the MoE before implementing child protection interventions. The Department of Education (DoE) evacuated five (5) shelters out of thirteen (13) pending approval for rehabilitation. The evacuation was based on the crucial need for the schools to be used for national examinations beginning the first week of June. ltbrgtContinued assessments of schools in the affected areas are also required to confidently encourage safe return. Safe reopening of schools requires light rehabilitation of minorly damaged schools to ensure resumption of learning for school aged children. GOPA-DERD alongside Education Sector Partners continue to provide support in the affected areas in Latakia, Tartous, Homs, Hama, Aleppo and parts of Idleb. However, the impact of the earthquake on the mental health of children and their caregivers resulted in low attendance rates when schools in the affected areas re-opened at the beginning of March. Awareness raising on safety and psychosocial support are needed for both teachers and children. Syrian children are now at increased risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to recurring childhood exposure to adversity, which may result in a variety of behavioral and emotional problems that could impact them well into adulthood according to mental health experts. lt/pgtltpgt ltbrgtThe Initial GOPA-DERD emergency intervention included various activities:ltbrgt1- Psychological first-aid sessions for women and childrenltbrgt2- Distribution of food, hygiene and winterization kits.ltbrgt3- Installed water tanks in shelters.ltbrgt4- Provision of a set of supportive medicines including medicines for chronic diseases, in addition to medical in kind assistance.ltbrgt5- Provision of cash-for-rent assistance as the situation in the affected areas remains dire with hundreds of thousands still displaced, either in collective shelters or in host communities.lt/pgtltpgtThis proposal will complement previous interventions that contribute to mitigating earthquake damage related to the educational sector through the following activities:ltbrgt1- Initial restoration of schools that were damaged by the earthquake and became out of service.ltbrgt2- Implementation life-saving awareness sessions to students, schools teachers, and administration staff.ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgt3- Implementation of remedial classes for schools students. lt/pgtltpgtThis project will be implemented in the earthquake-affected areas of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia, and rural Idlib, ltbrgtas the following:ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgt1- Aleppo: Three schoolsltbrgt2- Rural Hama: three schoolsltbrgt3- Lattakia and rural Latakia: three schools.ltbrgt4- Rural Idleb: one school.ltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtAwareness sessions will also be organized for educational staff regarding life-saving procedures during crises and natural disastersltbrgtlt/pgt