Areas Of Syria Research Articles

Assessing the accuracy of global digital elevation models for hydrological analysis: the cases of Syria and Russia

Digital elevation models provide valuable information about the surface topography. The resolution and accuracy of the data used to create the models are critical for the results of hydrological analysis. Available global digital elevation models obtain high potential in terms of data sources; however, their performance requires meticulous evaluation for different terrain characteristics and applications. Aim. To determine the accuracy and resolution of data provided by current and old global models, namely SRTM 1, SRTM GL1, V3 ASTER, GMTED2010, PALSAR ALOS, and GTOPO 30, using the example of two terrains. The study considers the areas in Syria (Syrian coast) and Russia (Chernoyarsky and Akhtubinsky districts in the Astrakhan region) represented by different elevation models. A matching degree between model and real elevations measured by GPS was determined to carry out the hydrological analysis of the land surface. For this purpose, three statistical measures, including range, standard deviation and correlation were defined by means of BaseCamp, ARCGIS PRO & SAGA_GIS software. Data resolution indicates the degree of detail represented in the DEM dataset, which is established by the spatial sampling interval or the size of the grid cell used to represent the land surface. Data accuracy refers to the matching degree between the elevation values derived from the DEM and the actual data obtained on the surface. Results. In terms of correlation coefficient and standard deviation, the GMTED 2010 and ASTER V3 model for the Syrian region and the ALOS PALSAR and SRTM GL 1 model for the Russian region prove to be the most effective for hydrological analysis in the absence of accurate local models.

Accessing breast cancer care in a protracted conflict: Qualitative exploration of the perspectives of women with breast cancer in northwest Syria

BackgroundWomen with breast cancer in northwest Syria, an area of protracted armed conflict, face multiple intersecting challenges to accessing care which may relate to gender, social structures, and financial constraints. Our aim was to explore the perspectives of women with breast cancer in northwest Syria about the impact of their diagnosis and experiences of accessing care. MethodsWomen who accessed diagnosis or clinical care at the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) oncology centre in Idlib city during 2022 were identified from hospital records; they were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews conducted in Arabic by four local female-trained researchers. Participation was voluntary and informed consent was sought. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in August and September 2022 until thematic saturation was reached. Data were audio recorded and transcribed in Arabic before translation and thematic analysis using Nvivo to identify key emerging themes. Results22 women with breast cancer were interviewed. Findings were categorised into three themes: 1. Challenges to accessing oncology care in northwest Syria 2. Interactions with healthcare workers 3. The role of community and society. All participants noted the financial strains which the breast cancer diagnosis placed on them and their families. Most also noted the additional strains of travelling long distances, either in northwest Syria or to Turkey, where referral would entail additional costs, bureaucracy or isolation from family or social support. Some participants described social impacts including the expectation that they would continue with household chores and childcare even while ill. Patients reported that strong faith, having children, compassion from healthcare staff and peer support as being important factors for coping with their diagnosis and treatment. ConclusionThough there have been improvements to breast cancer care in northwest Syria, stock-outs and the lack of availability of radiotherapy may still force women to travel to Turkey for further investigations or treatment. Our findings suggest increased support for women with breast cancer as well as their families is required. This work is a starting point for future research on this topic both in northwest Syria and other areas in Syria.

Investigation of the Spread of Bacterial Wheat Leaf Blight Caused by Pathotypes of Pseudomonas syringaein Some Wheat Growing Areas in Syria

Abo Bakr, A., F. Khatib, M. Kassem, S.G. Kumari, N. Husien and N. Asaad. 2024. Investigation of the Spread of Bacterial Wheat Leaf Blight Caused by Pathotypes of Pseudomonas syringaein Some Wheat Growing Areas in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 291-298. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001257 Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops grown globally, which is affected by several biotic and abiotic stresses, especially in conjunction with the climatic changes that have been evident in the last decade, and among these stresses is the bacterial wheat leaf blight disease caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. The importance and danger of this bacterium is due to its ability to be transmitted by seed, as it negatively affects the quality of grain and the weight of one thousand grains. The study aimed to investigate the spread of bacterial wheat leaf blight caused by P. syringae and its pathotypes in the main wheat growing areas in Syria (Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Tartous and Latakia governorates) during 2022. The results obtained showed that bacterial wheat leaf blight disease was observed in 42 fields out of 59 fields surveyed (71.2%). The lowest incidence (50%) was recorded in Latakia with severity of less than 2, and highest incidence (77.8%) was recorded in Aleppo governorate with severity of 4 based on a 0-5 scale. Symptoms of bacterial wheat leaf blight was observed in all fields, which began as water-soacked leaf spots, and then turned into greenish-gray necrosis and finally a straw color. Symptoms of blackishbrown color nodes were observed only in 4 fields in Aleppo and Tartous governorates, it could be caused by the pathotype P. s. pv. japonica. In addition, the bases of wheat chaffs showed blackish-brown watery spots in 6 fields. In Aleppo and Tartous governorates these symptoms were identical to those typical of the pathotype P. s. pv. atrofaciens. Characteristics of 156 isolates, LOPAT tests and fluorescence on King B medium indicated that these isolates belong to the genus Pseudomonas, representing 87.7% of the total number of isolates, whereas 26 isolates (14.3%) were negative for Levan and fluorescence tests and their characteristics indicated that they belong to the genus Xanthomonas. Keywords: Wheat, bacterial wheat leaf blight, P. syringae, pathotypes, Syria

A New Approach to Enhance Smart City Applications Through Integrating GIS BIM Technology

The research deals with the study and analysis of smart cities, the requirements for their establishment, and the role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in building sustainable, energy-efficient smart cities. The primary objective is to put a smart city transformation methodology and apply it on Lattakia city as a case study, using Building Information Modeling (BIM). We proposed new tools in an integrated methodology to transform from ordinary to smart city, and implemented basics of its objects, including GISBIM technologies integration, insuring both sustainable and energy saving vision at general planning designs. Implementing the chosen methodology steps at an organized area in Syria – Lattakia City, starting with building an accurate geodatabase, then, obtaining Sun Shadow Frequency analysis, which shows that December contains the highest shade values, with cumulative coverage rate 79.84%, while June instead contain the lowest shade value, reaching only 33.84%. But in general, most of the area has shade coverage that does not exceed 15% most of the day, therefore no need to make an adjustment to the distribution of building blocks. After that, in order to secure the energy needed for the study Area, analyzing the Land Surface Temperature (LST) done using the ArcGIS Pro® software, and locating a renewable energy station site (solar plant). On the other hand, analyzing a residential building energy through annual PV analysis has been done, by using Revit® software through Insight™ extension, with two cases: first one, building without changing building material, while second one done after changing building material to save solar energy inside and rising roof slope up to 10%, and we achieve valuable energy savings by applying this modification to building material. And finally, introducing the infrastructure underground network, that serving transformation to smart city.

Measles Outbreak in Lebanon: July 2023.

After the beginning of the Syrian crisis, increased rates of infectious diseases were reported. Lebanon, a neighboring country with a major socioeconomic crisis, witnessed a measles outbreak since July 2023, with 519 reported suspected cases. Half of the cases were under 5 y of age, most of them were unvaccinated. The mass displacement of refugees from conflict areas in Syria to Lebanon and the low vaccination coverage have made the situation more challenging. Further efforts are required in Lebanon to address identified gaps to prevent or at least better control future outbreaks.

Planning and organizing the post-conflict reconstruction of damaged housing stock in Syria

Planning and organizing the post-conflict reconstruction of damaged areas is a fundamental challenge that the concerned authorities will face when deciding to begin reconstruction. This challenge lies in the need to determine how to properly plan and organize the process, and to determine the basis on which the process should be designed in order to ensure rapid reconstruction and rapid resettlement of refugees by reconstructing damaged housing stock. In this paper, we found that by adopting the concept of reconstruction priority and reconstruction sequence, we obtained a group of alternatives for planning and organizing the reconstruction process. After this, irrational alternatives were excluded, and the remaining ones were compared to choose the one that gives the shortest duration and, at the same time, less spread in the commissioning of the housing stock. The correlation between the main parameters of these alternatives was then examined and it was concluded that, by determining the approximate output per worker during reconstruction, it is possible to determine the values of other parameters that should be taken into account when designing reconstruction schedules for damaged areas in Syria.

Differences in Initial Healthcare Responses Between Turkey and the Conflict-Ridden Area in Syria Following February 2023 Earthquakes

Abstract Objective This study analyzes disparities in initial healthcare responses in Turkey and Syria following 2023 earthquakes. Methods Using Humanitarian Data Exchange, Crude Mortality Rates (CMR) and injury rates in both countries were calculated, and temporal trends of death tolls and injuries in the first month post- catastrophe were compared. WHO Flash Appeal estimated funding requirements, and ratios of humanitarian aid personnel in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams per population from ReliefWeb and MAPACTION data were used to gauge disparities. Results 56,051,096 individuals were exposed, with Turkey having 44 million vs 12 in Syria. Turkey had higher CMR in affected areas (10.5 vs 5.0/10,000), while Syria had higher CMR in intensely seismic regions (9.2 vs 7.7/1,000). Turkey had higher injury rates (24.6 vs 9.9/10,000). Death and injury rates plateaued in Syria after three days, but steadily rose in Turkey. Syria allocated more funding for all priorities per population except healthcare facilities’ rehabilitation. Turkey had 219 USAR teams compared to Syria’s six, with significantly more humanitarian aid personnel (23 vs 2/100,000). Conclusions Significant disparities in initial healthcare response were observed between Turkey and Syria, highlighting need for policymakers to enhance responses in conflict-affected events to reduce impact on affected populations.

A methodology for transformation between geodetic datums used in Syria

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) provides geodetic coordinates referenced to the world ellipsoid WGS84, whereas positions are computed on the local ellipsoid adopted for geodetic computation in various countries. Thus, to take advantage of GNSS in geodetic applications, the need arises to transform coordinates from the global ellipsoid to the local ellipsoid. This is usually carried out by applying geometric transformation models to convert coordinates from The Global Geodetic System WGS84 into the local systems used in each country of the world and into the grid coordinates of local systems. Over the past years, with the increase in the utilization of GNSS in several geodetic projects, numerous methodologies are available for the solution of transformation issues. These methods can be classified into three categories, the first is based on direct mathematical formulas, the second on iteration approaches, and the last category depends on direct transformation from the global system to the local system based on the calculation of transformation parameters (three, seven, nine …etc.). In this study, a methodology has been proposed for direct transformation from global geodetic coordinates to local geodetic coordinates for a limited area in Syria. It is based on the properties of the ratio and proportion between the geometric elements of points on global and local ellipsoids without the calculation of transformation parameters. The results are compared with some studied methods (Bursa-Wolf, Molodensky Abridge, and Cassini). The resulting accuracy is about ± 3.5 cm. The main conclusion drawn is that the proposed method provides a promising alternative approach in coordinates transformation. Therefore, the capability of the suggested methodology as a powerful method for converting geodetic coordinates from one referenced frame to another has been demonstrated in this present study.

Hundred percent renewable wastewater treatment plant: techno-economic assessment using a ret screen, case study Syria

In regions prone to droughts, such as Syria, water shortages and urbanization increase the need for water to meet domestic, industrial, commercial, and agricultural demands. According to research, the leaching of toxic substances from the treatment of sewage water stations is likely to influence the quality of groundwater. In some locations, the overexploitation of surface water and groundwater resources has outpaced natural recharge rates, resulting in water scarcity and high demand for safe drinking water. Alternately, climate change has a significant impact on Syria's water situation, resulting in protracted drought in several sections of the nation. Water scarcity has been exacerbated by civil unrest and armed conflict in several areas of Syria, particularly in areas controlled by anti-Assad Syrian rebel groups. Previous studies established that groundwater and surface water pollution is a widespread problem across the entirety of Syria. The high levels of pollution resulting from concentrated agricultural and industrial activities pose a threat to drinking water sources. In addition, industrial waste, which might contain nitrate, phosphate, and heavy metals, contributes to a substantial amount of pollution. This project seeks to increase the use of wind and solar energy as a means of powering water treatment plants in Syria, where water is contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins.

Localisation in the balance: Syrian medical-humanitarian NGOs' strategic engagement with the local and international.

Contributions on localisation often focus on interactions between local organisations and the international community, with limited attention paid to dynamics within the locally-led part of the response. The humanitarian operation in non-government-held areas of Syria is considered a key example of localisation, in which the health sector has assumed a leading role. Drawing on fieldwork among Syrian medical-humanitarian organisations conducted in southern Turkey in 2017, this paper offers a view from below on the localisation debate. It provides a nuanced perspective on 'the local', showcasing how localisation is interpreted and expressed among Syrian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) themselves, and in their interaction with each other. The paper shows how most organisations have moved to a hybrid model that emphasises their local and international character, resisting simplistic classifications. However, despite the sometimes strategic nature of its invocation, localisation does not lose its relevance as a lived experience, especially for local field staff.

Host Community Attitudes Towards Internally Displaced Persons: Evidence from Al-Bab, Syria

Considering the unique context of the Al-Bab area in Syria hosting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), we tested the role of economic individual self-interest in shaping a host community’s attitude towards IDPs. The findings from analyzing data collected from 496 households indicated that self-interest had a significant effect on their attitudes. Interestingly, when positive and negative attitudes were isolated from each other, the findings revealed that the factors shaping the former may not always be the same for the latter. The particular value of this study is in exploring the host community’s attitude towards IDPs, something which has not been studied and thus contributes to enhancing our knowledge about the attitude towards newcomers.

Piloting of a suicide first aid gatekeeper training (online) for children and young people in conflict affected areas in Syria

Suicide among internally displaced people remains an under-researched public health issue especially in conflict affected countries. Given the limited and sometimes inaccessible mental health services, there is a need for scalable evidence-based suicide prevention programmes that could be delivered by trained and supervised non-specialists. The Suicide First Aid Guidelines approach aims to support humanitarian workers who deal directly with children and families with the appropriate knowledge and skills to identify and support those at risk of suicide until they can access further specialized support services or until the crisis passes. This paper presents the findings of an online pilot training of 56 humanitarian workers from different sectors (e.g. Child Protection, Nutrition and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) in conflict affected areas in Syria. The quantitative and qualitative evaluations were based on pre- and post-training questionnaires and revision journals completed between training sessions. Suggestions and examples provided in the journals and during the trainings were incorporated into the succeeding trainings. This was to contextualize and modify the gatekeeper training to fit the Syrian context and provide adaptations for future research and suicide prevention guidelines. Overall, the evaluation indicated that the pilot training raised awareness and improved participants’ knowledge on how to assist a suicidal person, including warning signs. It also contributed to a positive change in attitude or beliefs towards suicide. Although the pilot training was considered adequate for the Syrian context some improvements were suggested.

First record of the Diadem Snake, Spalerosophis diadema (Squamata, Colubridae) for Lebanon

We report the first record of the Diadem Snake,Spalerosophis diadema cliffordii(Schlegel, 1837) for Lebanon, based on an adult male found in the semi-desert area of the Beqaa Valley. This record increases the number of species of reptiles for Lebanon to 52, with the family Colubridae now comprising 17. The record also highlights the Beqaa Valley as a promising, but currently insufficiently investigated area for further herpetological research due to its biogeographic connection to the large semi-desert and desert areas of Syria.

THE THEOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT MODEL FOR RETURNEES RETURNING FROM AREAS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY: THE CASE OF KAZAKHSTAN

Since January 2019, Kazakhstan has been evacuating its citizens from the terrorism-affected area in Syria and Iraq. Yet, three years later, rehabilitation and reintegration proved ineffective especially in regards of women and children. The programme faces a number of obstacles, i.e. shortages of qualified professional personnel and underdevelopment of the indicators; capacity deficit in tackling domestic and financial problems of the repatriated persons; safety and stigmatization of the returned women. The article is focused on the shortcomings of the information and awareness-raising component of the programme. The content analysis of the materials from the printed and social media revealed the limitations of the measures aimed at repatriation and rehabilitation of the persons evacuated from the terrorism-affected areas who are still regarded as ‘posing security threat’ by ordinary people. Public condemnation and resentment have an anti-therapeutic effect and complicate reintegration of such women and children. Moreover, the findings of the expert survey indicate that the gender factor has been neglected and de-radicalization measures aimed at repatriated women - including so-called ‘theological correction’ - are similar to those applied while working with male inmates in the penitentiary facilities in Kazakhstan. These have also been proved ineffective. The author concludes that the acute shortcomings in the rehabilitation programme may result in re-radicalization of the repatriated women.

The impact of armed conflict on utilisation of health services in north-west Syria: an observational study

BackgroundArmed conflicts are known to have detrimental impact on availability and accessibility of health services. However, little is known on potential impact on utilisation of these services and health seeking behaviour. This study examines whether exposure to different types of war incidents affected utilisation of key health services—outpatient consultations, antenatal care, deliveries, and C-sections, in conflict affected areas of north west Syria between 1 October 2014 and 30 June 2017.MethodsThe study is an observational study using routinely collected data of 597,675 medical consultations and a database on conflict incidents that has 11,396 events. Longitudinal panel data analysis was used with fixed effect negative binomial regression for the monthly analysis and distributed lag model with a lag period of 30 days for the daily analysis.ResultsThe study found strong evidence for a negative association between bombardments and both consultations and antenatal care visits. The monthly Risk Ratio was 0.95 (95% CI 0.94–0.97) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.93–0.98); and the cumulative daily RR at 30 days was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.25) and 0.42 (95% CI 0.25–0.69) for consultations and antenatal care respectively. Explosions were found to be positively associated with deliveries and C-sections. Each one unit increase in explosions in a given month in a given village was associated with about 20% increase in deliveries and C-sections; RR was 1.22 (95% CI 1.05–1.42) and 1.96 (95% CI 1.03–3.74) respectively.ConclusionThe study found that access to healthcare in affected areas in Syria during the study period has been limited. The study provides evidence that conflict incidents were associated negatively with the utilisation of routine health services, such as outpatient consultations and antenatal care. Whereas conflict incidents were found to be positively associated with emergency type maternity services—deliveries, and C-sections.

The Islamic State’s tribal policies in Syria and Iraq

ABSTRACT The surprising ability of the jihadist organisation “the Islamic State” to capture and hold large territories in Syria and Iraq raises important questions regarding rebel governance in civil wars. One understudied aspect in the growing literature on rebel rule is insurgents’ relations to kinship organisations. This article offers a detailed empirical exploration of ISIS’ tribal policies in the mid-2010s. It argues that ISIS’ relative success in maintaining control over tribal areas in Syria and Iraq and preventing a tribal-based uprising is due to three main factors. First, ISIS pursued well-calibrated carrot-and-stick policies vis-à-vis the tribes, which divided tribal constituencies and undermined their ability to mobilise effectively. Secondly, the politico-military situation in both Iraq and Syria contributed to deprive the Sunni-Arab tribes from trustworthy military allies and sources of external support, which forced them instead to lie low and accept ISIS rule, while waiting for ISIS to be defeated by their enemies. Thirdly, inter- and intra-tribal divisions had allowed ISIS to penetrate most tribes thereby reducing the tribe’s ability to act as cohesive and effective socio-political and military units. By comparing tribal groups and jihadist insurgents, the article also speaks to the theoretical debate on extremist advantages in civil war.

Planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and lithology of the Upper Cretaceous (upper Campanian-Maastrichtian) and Palaeogene succession of the Palmyrides (Syria)

An upper Campanian to upper Oligocene stratigraphic succession has been examined from six deep exploration wells in the Palmyrides area of Syria. Most of the sedimentary succession contains rich and well to moderately preserved planktonic foraminiferal assemblages that enable successful age determination. The upper Campanian and Maastrichtian planktonic fauna is highly diverse with domination of warm water taxa such as Globotruncana aegyptiaca, Gansserina gansseri, Globotruncanella havanensis, Globotruncanita angulata and Pseudotextularia elegans. The most dramatic turnover occurred across the Cretaceous/Palaeocene boundary when most planktonic foraminiferal species became extinct. The oldest Palaeocene planktonic foraminiferal assemblage, rich in the number of specimens, but not very diverse, includes the following species: Eoglobigerina eobulloides, Globanomalina archeocompressa, Chiloguembelina morsei, Woodringina claytonensis and Parasubbotina pseudobulloides. The late Palaeocene is marked by origination of the morozovellids, acarininids and globanomalinids, while the early Eocene is characterized by a tropical assemblage, dominated by muricate species, and by intensive speciation of Acarinina and Subbotina in the latest part. Most of these species continue into the middle Eocene and become a significant component of the planktonic community. The middle Eocene is characterized by intensive speciation and domination of warm water genera such as Acarinina, Morozovelloides, and to a lesser degree Turborotalia, Globigerinatheka and Hantkenina. The middle/late Eocene boundary is marked by double extinction of the last muricate taxa Acarinina mcgowrani and Morozovelloides crasssatus, which indicate a variable climate, water column instability, and loss of surface habitats. In contrast, Turborotalia and Globigerinateheka become more important in the late Eocene. The Eocene/Oligocene boundary is marked by the extinction of most warm water taxa including Turborotalia cerroazulensis group, Hantkenina, Globigerinatheka and some subbotinids. The beginning of the early Oligocene is indicated by the domination of cool water taxa such as Dentoglobigerina, Globorotaloides, Tenuitella and Chiloguembelina. Speciation of the spinose surface dweller Ciperoella ciperoensis group reflects warming in the late Oligocene. The combined observations of lithology with the diversity and composition of planktonic foraminifera assemblages indicate that the Palmyrides area in Syria was a Tethyan bioprovince with a tropical to subtropical climate from the late Campanian to the end of the Eocene with deposition in deep sea environments (upper bathyal to outer shelf). In contrast, Oligocene deposits and their microfossil content suggest temperate to warm climate conditions and sedimentation in middle to inner shelf environments.

Divorce and Domestic Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Germany.

In recent literature, there are no academic studies on divorce and domestic violence among Syrian refugees in Germany. To contribute to filling this gap, the current study addresses the question: What are the main causes of divorce and domestic violence among Syrian refugees in Germany, and how are these two phenomena interrelated? The present study is based on 14 qualitative interviews with divorced Syrian refugee men and women in Germany, all of them are Muslim with different economic backgrounds from urban and rural areas in Syria and got divorced shortly after their arrival to Germany. The data were analyzed and coded following Mayring's guidelines for content analysis. The findings suggest that domestic violence results from conflicts of interest in marriage and divorce between Syrian refugee men and women. The present study uses the economic theory of marriage and divorce by Cary Becker to show how Syrian refugee women's "gains" of divorce in Germany exceed the "gains" of remaining married and how that leads them to divorce their husbands. In contrast, divorce is a heavy loss for Syrian refugee men. In addition, it shows how this conflict of interest results in domestic violence, by which the men resist their wives' eagerness to divorce and interpret the marital relationship according to Sharia law and Arabic traditions in order to keep their old patriarchal authority. However, this interpretation is inapplicable and criminalized by the German family legislation, and unwanted by their wives. The findings, through the example of Syrian refugees in Germany, imply that the causes of divorce and domestic violence among refugees in some regards are unique in comparison with natives and migrants. That means that we need more studies on this topic in different socio-cultural contexts.

From Aleppo to Tel Hai: The events of Tel Hai and the new order in Greater Syria in 1919-1920

ABSTRACT The study of the 1920 Tel Hai incident from a purely local perspective does not provide an accurate, in-depth explanation for the outbreak of violence in the Huleh Valley. This article contextualizes this incident within the events occurring in Syria and Lebanon during 1919–1920. It does so in order to understand the extent to which the Tel Hai incident was a local event, related to the Zionist-Palestinian conflict, or part of waves of violence that had spread over large areas of Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Emergency Shelter Site Selection in Maar Shurin Community of Idlib (Syria)

Abstract Constructing shelters is one of the most important precautions to reduce human casualties during disasters. The critical point in locating the shelter is the selection of the proper site. Unless shelters are placed in the right locations, they cannot serve as lifesaving tools. In this article, shelter site selection for a conflict area in Syria is taken into account. Notoriously, Syria has been facing these conflicts since 2011 and the intensity of the incidents is varying from region to region. Thus, in this study, Maar Shurin Community of Idlib is chosen as the study area because of its high airstrike/casualty statistics in 2018. A geographic information system (GIS) and its multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools are used for determining the shelter site. Four different scenarios based on different criteria weights are generated to provide alternative solutions. It is believed that the outputs of the proposed methodology can help the local administration to solve its real-life problems.