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.

Shelter: By end of July a total of 4,309 Shelters were upgraded and repaired in Azraq and Zaatari camps.

WASH: In July, WASH services were provided to more than 125,500 Syrian refugees, living in Azraq, Zaatari, and King Abdulla camps and host communities.

In July, UNICEF increased preparations for the new school year, which typically starts in September. In Za’atari and Azraq camps, 63 new KG2 classrooms are being established to reach 1,615 children. Meanwhile, UNICEF is currently upgrading 11 Makani as stand-alone KG campuses (54 KG2 classrooms) to support universal access to early childhood education.

Life skills enrichment through Nashatati project will continue to benefit students in 200 schools at the start of the new academic year.

On 5th August, an Agreement on Outstanding Issues of Governance and power-sharing was signed by all parties to the South Sudan conflict in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.