Due to insufficient funding, UNHCR interventions towards Syrians were limited to fulfilling basic needs, such as primary health care, education, winterisation (distribution of clothing for winter) and cash based assistance for the most vulnerable only. These interventions are far from responding to urgent needs of the registered Syrian population. Moreover, Syrians are currently living in the most impoverished neighbourhoods or in economically destitute regions. They are scattered throughout Tunisia, including in areas where UNHCR or its partners have no presence. These insufficient resources prevented UNHCR or its partners from engaging in outreach activities to further identify Syrians in need of protection and assistance or to enhance the livelihood capacities of Syrians. Although primary health care services are available for a nominal fee, considering the level of needs, the essential health care services had to be prioritized and restricted to most vulnerable cases only. Moreover, Syrian refugees in need of major medical assistance (chronic diseases) had unmet needs due to lack of facilities in the area of residence and unavailability of resources to support individual cases with complex health problems. The same considerations applied for the support to education facilities. Complete coverage of the needs in this regard could not be carried out. Also, Syrian refugee children had little access to extra-curricular activities because of lack of funding in this regard. These expenses could not be met within the allocated budget. Also, partners had geographic limitation. Therefore, with regard to Syrians, protection and assistance needs were only partially uncovered.
