1-Summary on The Return movement:

Since the beginning of 2011, the number of the registered returnees with the Ministry of Displacement and Migraon (MoDM) increased dramacally compared to the previous years. Starng in April 2011 onward, the number was steadily increasing, reaching a peak in August of 2011 but taking a downward trend a0erwards although it sll remained rela*vely high throughout 2012 and 2013.This increase could be a2ributed to different reasons, including but not limited to:

This bulletin is being issued for information, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has determined that external assistance is not required at this moment, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors and the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at this time.

An earthquake with the magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale rocked Goharan District, Sardasht, Bandar-e Jask, in Hormozgan province, Iran on 11 May 2013.

Voluntary Return to Afghanistan

1 – 30 April 2013: In April 2013, a total of 5,445 Afghan refugees voluntarily repatriated to Afghanistan. Of this, 4,211 came from Pakistan, 1,229 from Iran, and 5 from India.

1 January – 30 April 2013: During the first four months of 2013, a total of 10,710 Afghan refugees (averaging 89/day) voluntarily repatriated to Afghanistan. The rate of return so far this year is similar to total returns (11,687) during the same period in 2012.

The Desert Locust situation remained serious during April in northern Sudan where hopper bands were present near crops along a 1,000 km strech of the Nile River. Swarms could form in May and threaten crops, and a second generation of breeding could take place before the summer or, if early rains fall, adults could move to the summer breeding areas in Sudan. There is also concern in Saudi Arabia where new generation adults could move from the northwest Penninsula, including Yemen, and breed in areas of recent heavy rains.

1. An earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern in Iran on 16 April 2013 at 10:44:13 UTC (03:44:13 PM at epicentre). The epicentre was located between the cities of Khash (86 Km to the northwest) and Saravan (85 Km to the southeast) and the border with Pakistan (78 Km to the east). Nine aftershocks have been recorded so far with the strongest measuring 5.6.

This bulletin is being issued for information, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has determined that external assistance is not required at this moment, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors and the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at this time.

Iran

An earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in South-eastern in Iran, near the city of Khash (86 Km), 78 Km from the border with Pakistan, on 16 April 2013 at 10:44:13 UTC (03:44:13 PM at epicentre).

There are so far no official reports on the impact but various media outlets have reported up to 40 deaths (according to Iran State TV).

The Deputy Head of Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has declared the state of emergency in the quake-hit region of the Province.

This bulletin is being issued for information, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has determined that external assistance is not required at this moment, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors and the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at this time.

Two villages in the region reportedly suffered considerable damage, with around 80 per cent of village infrastructure destroyed. Around 1,000 people are sheltering in tents.