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Rajm Slebi evacuations completed - but further arrivals possible as Mosul offensive continues
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Download document Al Hol Camp, Al Hassakeh, Syria
November 25, 2016
UNHCR has completed a series of evacuations of Iraqi refugees and displaced Syrians from the Rajm Slebi border crossing point to Al Hol camp in Syria’s Hassakeh Governorate.
But as the Mosul offensive continues and as the situation in Deir ez-Zor continues to deteriorate, Rajm Slebi may witness more Iraqis and Syrians running for their lives, seeking safety and humanitarian assistance across the Iraq-Syria border.
Since the start of the operation at Rajm Slebi on November 7 – 2, 458 people have now been moved to Al Hol. 2, 031 Iraqi refugees and 427 displaced Syrians.
Alphonse Munyaneza, UNHCR Field Coordinator for North-East Syria, said: “We are relieved that those up to now seeking safety at Al Hol are now there, after long and dangerous journeys. We of course remain prepared for any further arrivals who may still come, but for now, Rajm Selebi finally looks the way I like it - empty.”
The camp can now host 15,000 persons and is being readied to accommodate up to 50, 000. Rajm Slebi is located approximately 18km south of the Al Hol camp. UNHCR had limited access but provided a range of humanitarian assistance including tents, large plastic sheets, blankets, sleeping mats, and water tanks with daily water trucking. A mobile clinic also helped to meet urgent health needs.
With the possibility of further arrivals at Rajm Slebi, UNHCR is actively engaging with sister UN agencies and the wider humanitarian community in Hassakeh to ensure a collective response to the needs of any new arrivals.
Rajm Slebi is a border crossing point – not an environment where humanitarian agencies can adequately meet people’s protection and humanitarian assistance needs. We remain committed to working closely with local authorities to ensure the rapid transfer of any further IDPs and refugees to Al Hol – where assistance and protection can be safely delivered.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
In Damascus, Firas Al-Khateeb: khateeb@unhcr.org +963 930 403 228
In Amman, Scott Craig: craigs@unhcr.org +962 7 9276 0640
UNHCR Syria Representative Sajjad Malik is available for interview