Food security levels are generally better than a year earlier in East Africa and the Sahel, with most areas facing either IPC phase 1 ‘minimal’ or phase 2 ‘stressed’ conditions, thanks to favorable agro-climatic conditions in 2012.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH:

• Over 50,000 refugees benefited from the provision of clothes vouchers, blankets, quilts and other household items;

• Over 9,300 food vouchers were distributed through the World Food Programme and DRC benefiting over 10,000 individuals;

• Over 3,200 benefited from Primary Health Care services;

• Over 500 refugee patients received emergency secondary health care;

• More than 7,000 hygiene kits and 2,600 baby kits were distributed by this week;

UNFPA Head Appeals to the International Community to Step Up Assistance to Those Displaced by Syrian Conflict

There are currently 6.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including 4.25 million who are internally displaced.

Among the most affected public infrastructures are health facilities, with 36 per cent of public hospitals totally damaged and 21 per cent partially operational. As 78 per cent of public ambulances have been damaged, the referral system for medical emergencies has also broken down.

Handicap International has been implementing a Disability & Vulnerability Focal Point (DVFP) project in North Bekaa since June 2012 and has extended it in West and Central Bekaa from mid December 2012. In the same month Handicap International initiated its emergency winterization project, for approximately 3500 beneficiaries. Finally Handicap International has also started to implement a distribution project for families affected by the Syrian crisis (principally newcomers) of NFI and food parcels in West and Central Bekaa.

Movement by internally displaced persons continues to be large-scale and fluid, as many Syrians are displaced multiple times. The estimated number of IDPs now stands at 4.25 million.

Syria

HIGHLIGHTS

• A 7.8 earthquake hit South-Eastern Iran on 16 April, close to the border with Pakistan. The impact was felt in both countries, with 14 people killed, 73 injured and two missing.

• New and worsening humanitarian crises since 2011 have led to a considerable increase in CERF allocations to the MENA region. The largest recipients have been Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Syria: IOM distributed 630 hygiene kits and 1,000 blankets to 4,150 beneficiaries in Salah El Dien and Al Hamdanieh.

* Iraq: During the reporting period, IOM conducted vulnerability assessments of Syrian refugee families and Iraqi returnees families in Baghdad, Erbil and Anbar.

* Jordan: IOM organized the transportation of 8,643 Syrian refugees to Za’atri camp and 536 Syrian refugees to Emirates Jordanian Camp (EJC).

* Lebanon: On 27 April, IOM distributed Non‐Food Items (NFI) to 21 Lebanese returnee families in Hermel.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS