PESHAWAR, Saturday 8 September: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi commended the charitable work of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital saying providing free-of-cost treatment to underprivileged cancer patients is a noble act.

Shelter: By end of August a total of 4,553 Shelters were upgraded and repaired in Azraq and Zaatari camps.

WASH: In August, UNICEF entered a partnership with Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), for establishing a WASH innovation hub within the university aiming at developing and implementing pilot designs on interventions and new technologies related to water, sanitation and wastewater treatment, and climate change.

Due to a notably slower rate of new arrivals of South Sudanese in the first half of the year, the inter-agency partners in Sudan and Uganda agreed to revise the original estimates of 200,000 individuals. The overall regional projected South Sudanese refugee population reduced by 0.5 million and stands at 2.68 million refugees by end 2018.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is relieved that the remaining rescued persons on board the Italian coast guard vessel ‘Diciotti’ have now disembarked. UNHCR commends those countries and organisations that have shown solidarity and given tangible assistance. Established and predictable arrangements in the Mediterranean region for the disembarkation of people rescued at sea is strongly encouraged.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is appealing to European Union member States urgently to offer relocation places to some 150 rescued persons who remain on board the Italian coast guard vessel ‘Diciotti’. The boat has been docked in Italy in the Sicilian port of Catania since 20th August – the majority of those on board are reportedly from refugee producing countries.

UNHCR called on the international community to step up its support for some 900,000 stateless Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the majority having fled in August 2017. UNHCR urged renewed international engagement and support for refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, in order to expand the response from day-to-day lifesaving operations to also address challenges such as education and self-reliance for the Rohingya refugees.

“UNHCR is not promoting returns to Burundi at this stage, but we continue to work with the governments of Burundi and host countries, including Tanzania, to assist those who feel now is the time for them to return home.”

Mental Health:  Rehabilitation Services Capacity Assessment conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) and Handicap International Federation in close coordination with the Ministry of Health. JHF/OCHA:  OCHA have opened their South of Syria call for emergency for Jordanian partners to provide war wounded services resulting in selecting JPS proposal for the next 6 months as a stand by partner for acute war wounded managements. Berm Situation:  Total of 45,836 patients received in Rukban UN Joint clinic until the reporting date.  Total of 1137cases admitted to Jordan hospitals since 15 Dec 2016 until the reporting date  On average 200 to 250 cases been allowed to access the clinic during July Zaatari Camp:  SAMS PHC centre closed during July due to approvals issues (MPIC & MoH). SAMS case load has been distributed among the nearest health facilities (AMR, Saudi clinics, and IRC).  IRC successfully secured bridge funding for their PHC center in District 5 and will continue provision of services until 31 December, 2018;

On 15 August, UNHCR applauded the decision by the Government of Malta to permit the disembarkation of 141 asylum-seekers and migrants rescued on the Central Mediterranean by an NGO boat, the Aquarius. We also commend those European countries who have come forward to offer relocation places for rescued passengers post-disembarkation. The situation of the Aquarius and in particular this standoff has again highlighted the need for a Mediterranean regional arrangement that provides clarity and predictability on where boats carrying rescued passengers can dock.