1. Operational Highlights and Situation update

• Assessment was conducted in Raba Sahan on the 14th of May by UNHCR Health staff and IOM in order plan new arrival vaccination and health screening services.

• MoH reports that in health centres and hospitals in and around Ramtha medication supplies that used to be enough for one month are now barely lasting for 8-­‐10 days.

Link: Syria - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #15, Fiscal Year (FY) 2013

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.

Link: Syria - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #14, Fiscal Year (FY) 2013

Key messages

• Imperative that additional assistance addresses the needs of displaced populations throughout Syria and not just in the "hotspots".

• Need to increase the number of authorized humanitarian organizations and to ease administrative procedures for the provision of aid inside Syria to cope with growing needs.

• Donors urgently need to provide and expand assistance to neighbouring countries hosting refugees.

I. Facts and Figures (as at 31 March 2013)

• Number of Syrians either registered as refugees or being assisted as such has now exceeded 1.3 million mark regionallly.

• Government of Jordan estimates that there are some 470,000 Syrians of concern to UNHCR in the Kingdom.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 1.3 million refugees are living in neighbouring countries, stretching the capacity of host governments to accommodate new arrivals.

• The situation has reached a breaking point. Needs are growing exponentially as we reach 120 per cent of the 1.1 million refugee population planning figure for June 2013. Humanitarian partners are expanding operations in response.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Approximately 1.2 million houses have been damaged or destroyed in Syria
• Relief organizations prepare for disease outbreaks in Syria and in neighboring countries
• USG partner supplies Aleppo bakeries with flour
• Fighting displaces Syrians in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsud district

KEY DEVELOPMENTS