“Supporting the National Institutions in Turkey to Mitigate the Impact of the Syrian Refugee Crisis” project which is co-financed by the EU and the Republic of Turkey launched in Izmir.

Balochistan opens a state-of-the-art public health facility providing free treatment to Pakistanis and Afghan refugee patients suffering from kidney disease

FUEL SHORTAGE DRIVING SHUT DOWN OF WATER TREATMENT PLANTS – Sudan’s fuel crisis remains a major challenge to service delivery across the response. The fuel shortage has interrupted water treatment plant operations for refugee camps along the White Nile River, with refugees now drawing water directly from the river at several camp locations. UNHCR is working with local partners and authorities to secure emergency fuel supplies; however, in the meantime, WASH partners are initiating the distribution of water purification tablets and public information initiatives on the importance of boiling water to mitigate waterborne illness risk. Household water filters are also being procured in anticipation of ongoing interruptions to clean water supply for refugees living in camps.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling on the Greek Government to urgently improve conditions and expand reception capacity, following a recent rise in arrivals at Evros via the land border with Turkey. Hundreds of people are at present being held in police detention facilities.

UNHCR, together with the Human Development Foundation (INGEV) organized workshops in Mersin and Hatay, with the aim of raising awareness of both existing and potential refugee entrepreneurs.

As part of a project jointly implemented by UNHCR and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, 150 saplings were planted by refugee and Turkish children in Ankara.

Over 2000 refugee children living in Turkey received letters from people living in different parts of the world as part of UNHCR’s 23rd April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day activities.

• During March, SGBV and Child Protection sub-working groups conducted a join coordination meeting that aimed to strengthen the linkages between the two sectors on standing cross cutting issues. Main topics that were discussed during the meeting were Mandatory reporting under the law on protection from family violence and the national framework for protection from family violence. Furthermore, the work plan of the national child marriage task force was shared with members noting that input from key national and international CP/SGBV originations was included in the work plan. Preliminary reports CPIMS, GBVIMS 2017 were discussed.

Commencement of Rectification of Status Campaign (“amnesty”): The Government of Jordan announced the commencement of a rectification of status campaign to regularize the legal status of certain Syrian refugees in Jordan.

UNHCR and the Government of Sudan’s Commission for Refugees (COR) completed the distribution of an NFI package of blankets and plastic sheeting to over 10,000 households across ‘open area’ settlements, including 8,541 refugee households (benefiting 57,346 refugees) and 1,496 of the most vulnerable host community households adjacent to settlement areas. The package will provide interim shelter assistance while inter-agency partners develop a more sustainable shelter response.