An evaluation of the 23,203 seedlings planted since 2015 in Lusenda camp assessed that 64% of them were growing well, thanks to sensitization sessions.

The “Heya” Campaign was launched on March 19, 2017 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina by UNHCR Alexandria Field Office in collaboration with the General Collections and Services Department at the Depository Library Section. The event opened with speeches by the organizers and partners of the Heya Campaign. Aseer Al Madaien, Head of UNHCR Alexandria Office spoke about this year's UN theme “Women in a Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030” and UNHCR’s theme for 2017 "UNHCR supports women's right to decent work." "Women’s rights are human rights," Al Madaien said. "UNHCR believes that empowerment of women and girls economically and socially is the only means by which to protect their rights and guarantees that they achieve their potential.

UNHCR Egypt hosted the Refugee and Egyptian Women’s Business Fair at the Greek Campus on March 18, 2017. There was a huge selection of art, jewelry, clothes and accessories combined with various delicious types of cuisines from Ethiopia, Syria and Sudan offered by over 85 participants. The event was held to mark International and National Women’s Day, and furthermore to recognize and celebrate women’s socio-economic empowerment and their relentless and important contribution to the economic development of Egypt.

Latest shipwreck in the Mediterranean comes as a stark reminder of the vital importance of robust search and rescue capacities.

Saving lives at sea must remain key priority. UNHCR commends the action of the Italian Coast Guard in coordination with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

NGOs provide additional and much needed rescue capacity. In 2016, 26 per cent of all rescue operations in the central Mediterranean were performed by NGOs, more than twice than the previous year.

Malawi - Verification of asylum seekers in Luwani Refugee camp which started on 14 March was concluded on 24 March 2017. 3,073 individuals from the camp were verified. The remaining 462 may have returned spontaneously to Mozambique.

UNHCR issued eight recommendations to help ensure a sustainable refugee response in Greece.

Joint efforts and strengthened cooperation are crucial to improving the situation for asylum-seekers and refugees in Greece.

To accomodate the current influx of South Sudanese refugees at Meri site (150/day), construction of 3 hangars or 150 individual shelters per week is necessary.