IOM has issued a joint letter with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) detailing enhanced cooperation to address the problem of protracted internal displacement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.)

The DRC is home to an estimated 2.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), whose needs include protection, shelter, health, sanitation and food. There is a lack of reliable data on their numbers, location and places of origin, which is compounded by periodical outbreaks of conflict and insecurity.

IOM is partnering with Rescue 1122, the largest emergency response service in Pakistan, to deliver camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) training for emergency responders.

Given the strategic importance of Rescue 1122 (the name is the same as the rescue hotline number), the trainings will pave the way for a structured response to future emergencies across the country.

Following the floods which hit Mozambique at the end of January this year, approximately 5,000 families have decided to start constructing new homes to begin new lives in permanent relocation sites with IOM's help.

IOM recently started its first distribution of shelter toolkits, as well as 4,500 solar kits with cell phone chargers and lights to reduce security risks in the new relocation sites. The organization is also working closely with the provincial government to improve data management and coordination between partner aid agencies.

Reporting Period: 31 January – 6 February 2013

Submission Date: 6 February 2013

Incidents Update: During the reporting period 23 natural disaster incidents occurred.

West Region:

• Syria: The Emergency Relief Coordinator declared Syria a Level-3 Emergency; efforts are underway to appoint a regional Humanitarian Coordinator to lead the response to the crisis for the next 3 months.

• Jordan: IOM organized a visit of the border areas, a transit centre and Za’atri Camp for 17 foreign officials.

SUMMARY

HIGHLIGHTS

• Syria: The Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA) and IOM have begun coordinating shelter rehabilitation in two sites in Qudsiya and one location in Kafr Souse, near Damascus.

• Lebanon: IOM has distributed winterkits to 121 Syrian families (822 individuals) in Central and West Bekaa and 144 rechargeable lamps to Syrian beneficiaries living in Machta Hassan Public School, Akkar and North Lebanon.

• Iraq: IOM has distributed 199 NFI kits to Syrian refugees in Domiz Camp.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Syria: The Syrian Ministry of Local Administration (MoLA) and IOM are planning the emergency shelter rehabilitation work in two sites in the Qudsiya region, Rif Damascus.

 Lebanon: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 26 November between the Higher Relief Commission (HRC) on behalf of the Government of Lebanon (GoL), IOM and WFP concerning the provision of targeted assistance to Lebanese returnees.

 Iraq: IOM began the construction of a 45,000-litre water tank in Al-Kasek camp on 27 November.

This report is produced by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on its humanitarian response for the crisis in Syria. The summary covers events and activities until 15 November.

HIGHLIGHTS