Attachments
Highlights
• On 20 March 2013, the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) announced that total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in the 17 camps in 8 provinces reached to 189,681. This is about 28% increase since the beginning of 2013.
• According to the Government Agency - AFAD, during the 24 hours of 19-20 March, 1,419 new arrivals were registered and accommodated in the camps while 159 Syrians returned to Syria voluntarily.
• UNHCR Field Teams were informed by local officials that due to the recent escalation in Raqqa region in Syria , thousands of Syrians have moved to the border areas. Reportedly several thousands of Syrians were accommodated in public buildings and villages with their relatives. Local authorities informed that Government of Turkey is providing humanitarian assistance (food and non-food items and tents) to the displaced Syrians across the border.
• The Government of Turkey is issuing residence permit (ikamet) valid for 1 year to the Syrians who arrived legally with their passports. Those who came without any passports are also admitted to Turkey. AFAD is registering Syrians in Gaziantep and Kilis province, and proving them with individual ID cards which give them access to medical assistance as well another assistance mechanisms available through various institutions. There are also some national and International NGOs that are providing humanitarian assistance in various provinces.
• WFP and the Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRC) continue to monitor the use of the e-food card that was launched in Harran, Hatay and Kilis camps and report strong beneficiary satisfaction. The programme will expand into Nizip-2 camp when it reaches capacity (5,000 people), this is expected to be in early April. Following the expansion into Nizip-2, WFP and TRC are then planning on launching the card programme into Osmaniye/Düziçi (3,800 people) and Islahiye (9,000 people). WFP and TRC are in discussions with the Government to plan for further expansion during 2013 following a request by the government for the programme to expand into all camps. To support the expansion of the programme, UNHCR is providing the necessary cooking facilities to the concerned Turkish authorities.
• UNICEF is delivering furniture and supplies to 48 classrooms in 2 recently built schools in Ceylanpinar and Akcakale camps. The supply of desks, chairs, cupboards, blackboards, and furnishing of the Principal’s office, will assist an estimated 3,552 children access learning.