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Syria + 3 more

Syria crisis situation update (Issue 63), 17 November 2013

Attachments

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Conflict is increasingly encroaching on UNRWA camps with shelling and clashes continuing to take place in and nearby a number of them. A reported 17 Palestine Refugees (PR) were killed in the last 2 weeks as a result. UNRWA estimates over 50% of registered PR are displaced in Syria or in neighbouring countries.

Approximately 235,000 refugees are displaced in Syria with over 200,000 in Damascus, around 6,600 in Aleppo, 4,500 in Latakia, 3,050 in Hama, 6,450 in Homs and 13,100 in Dera’a. 10,166 PR from Syria (PRS) have registered with UNRWA for assistance in Jordan and 49,500 in Lebanon. UNRWA tracks reports of 6,000 PRS in Egypt, 1,100 in Libya, 1,000 in Gaza, numbers in Turkey and UNHCR reports up to 1000 fled to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

SITUATION SUMMARY

  • Despite considerable challenges UNRWA is continuing to deliver emergency relief, health and education services to PR across Syria.
  • Intermittent and sporadic hostilities including shelling and mortars continued in and around the camps of Yarmouk, Husseiniyah, Sbeineh, Barzeh, Jobar, Qaboun, Khan Eshieh and Dera’a. A total 17 PR were reportedly killed as a result: 15 in Yarmouk and 2 in Dera’a which is a reduction on previous weeks.
  • Yarmouk and Sbeineh camps continue to be sealed off with UNRWA increasingly concerned about the well-being of those trapped.
  • All 4 Area Offices and Syria Field Office in Damascus operational all week with most staff attending.
  • 8 staff members killed, 18 staff currently detained or reported missing and 14 injured. 21 UNRWA vehicles stolen and not accounted for. Aggressive behavior was reported and drugs were confiscated from IDPs in an UNRWA temporary collective shelter in Damascus. 1 staff member was threatened by a PR with death if they did not find work for them. An agency clinic and school in Dera’a camp were damaged by shelling and one student received minor injuries from a bullet shattering glass while attending an UNRWA school in Dera’a.