HIGHLIGHTS:
• UNHCR was aware of the arrest of 348 individuals attempting to depart the country by sea in an irregular manner in April. The majority were detained in Alexandria, Beheira and Kafr El Sheikh Governorates. By the end of April, 303 of these detainees were released and allowed to stay in Egypt, continuing an observed trend since the beginning of the year to release persons in need of international protection involved in irregular movements; mostly families, children, elderly and those with immediate relatives in Egypt. The Egyptian authorities regularized the residence of those who were released who did not have a valid residence. UNHCR was able to access some detention facilities and worked closely with its legal and community partners in Cairo and Alexandria to coordinate assistance during and after being released from detention.
• UNHCR conducted three awareness sessions for 84 Syrian refugees to disseminate to their communities in Cairo, Mansoura and Gamasa. The sessions focused on the dangers of irregular movement as well as the importance of respecting Egyptian laws and regulations. In addition, UNHCR held a three-day workshop on international refugee law and the need to adopt national asylum legislation in Egypt. The workshop was attended by 22 Judges and Prosecution assistants.
• Since the start of 2014, UNHCR’s Child Protection Team conducted 128 Best Interest Assessments for unaccompanied minors, separated children and child spouses who are registered with UNHCR.
• UNHCR and WFP conducted a joint mission to Tanta city (Gharbeya Governorate) to assess the vulnerability of around 450 Syrian households residing there and the surrounding suburbs. The mission held focus group discussions with the Syrian community and visited homes of Syrian refugees.