Leishmaniasis Control Amongst Displaced and Conflict-Affected Populations in Northwest Syria - Envelope 2 ltpgtSustained conflict and insecurity in northwest Syria (NWS) have led to multiple population displacements, heavily damaged infrastructure and a lack of basic services. The environment that the conflict has created – destroyed buildings with cracks and crevices, rubble and uncollected waste – has created ideal breeding grounds for sand flies, the vector of leishmaniasis, which has rebounded since the beginning of the conflict. These conditions were further exacerbated by the devastating earthquakes in February 2023 that caused widespread destruction and yet another round of population displacement.lt/pgtltpgt ltbrgtThese population displacements impact leishmaniasis transmission in multiple ways: the parasite that causes the disease travels in its human hosts across the region, the population themselves are more exposed to infective sandfly bites due to insufficient shelter, and the reduced access to healthcare services leaves cases untreated for longer resulting in a larger parasite reservoir and subsequent increase in transmission.lt/pgtltpgt  ltbrgtMENTOR proposes to conduct leishmaniasis medical management activities in areas of northern Aleppo that have been identified under this allocation strategy as priority areas. This project will enable MENTOR to continue its partnership with Health actors operating 20 health facilities (HFs) in Jarablus, Al-Bab, and A’zaz districts. In addition to supplying the HFs with the necessary medical commodities and pharmaceuticals, on-the-job coaching, and direct case management support, MENTOR will conduct a capacity assessment with the partner organisations to identify gaps and tailor support to the individual needs. ltbrgtTo supplement the Health activities, MENTOR proposes integrated vector management through the implementation of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the most at-risk communities of the Allocation Strategy priority locations. This WASH component will help maintain control of leishmaniasis transmission and mitigate against large outbreaks. The IRS will target 28,360 households for a total population of 156,786 persons from the following communities: Al-Bab, Bazagha, Sosyan and Qabasin. Providing the coverage extends to gt85% of the targeted households, community protection should take effect and the link in the chain of leishmaniasis transmission will be broken. By combining the Health and WASH approaches, we maximise the chances of not losing the progress made over the last 10 years of leishmaniasis control.lt/pgtltpgt  ltbrgtAlongside these activities will be a sustained programme of information education communication (IEC) to ensure continued community acceptance, a population empowered to utilize the existing healthcare services, and an increased understanding and awareness of leishmaniasis transmission.ltbrgtThe strategy works synergistically to reduce vector contact and parasite reservoir to suppress transmission of leishmaniasis and the negative impacts it has on the population. One such often overlooked impact is on mental health due to the social stigma of disfiguring scarring. A recent systematic review found leishmaniasis to cause depression, anxiety, and social stigma across the study locations – and these impacts are expected to be disproportionately borne by women and girls in the Syrian context due to the structural gender dynamics that persist.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtAll of the activities in this proposal will complement the secured funding from both USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs and the Aid Fund for Northern Syria by extending coverage to the overlooked and underserved SCHF priority locations. ltbrgtlt/pgt