After reports of some 160 deaths in the Mediterranean, UNHCR renews its appeal to countries for help in saving human lives by offering more resettlement places and other safe alternatives to protection for refugees, including through family reunification.

The second phase of UNHCR’s shelter strategy is underway in preparation for the monsoon season. Since November, UNHCR and its partners has distributed some 27,600 upgraded shelter kits, composed of bamboo poles, ropes, tools, and tarpaulins, to help refugees build sturdier homes. Since November 2017, over 27,500 kits were distributed. In four days only, UNHCR’s partner ADRA completed the distribution for more than 2,600 families in Charmakul / Karantoli. In addition, UNHCR continues to collaborate with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) to identify areas, which have the highest risk of landslides and to mobilize partners to prepare the sites for the upcoming rains.

UNHCR teams conducted a mapping of latrine and tube wells in two zones of Kutupalong to analyze the distribution of facilities in the zones and better assess whether coverage is sufficient in the area. So far, over 200 WASH facilities have been mapped. This exercise has shown an urgent need for desludging and for additional latrines. UNHCR and partners are already planning the constructions of 10 latrines and four tube wells in one zone of Kutupalong. These will cater for 500 and 2,000 people respectively.

UNHCR signed a Letter of Understanding with the Izmir Governorate aims to launch and operationalize a Textile Machinery Operator Training and Harmonization Centre.

UNHCR signed a Letter of Understanding with the Izmir Governorate aims to launch and operationalize a Textile Machinery Operator Training and Harmonization Centre.

UNHCR signed a Letter of Understanding with the Izmir Governorate aims to launch and operationalize a Textile Machinery Operator Training and Harmonization Centre.

Cabinet approval of the 6th extension of the grace period for Syrian refugees’ work permits until June 30th 2018. A circular has been made by the Ministry of Labour regarding this approval.

By the end of 2017, UNHCR and partners received only 34 per cent of funds required to meet the needs of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

Over 3,700 new refugee arrivals fled to Sudan in December 2017 through South Darfur, South and West Kordofan and White Nile states.

Revised decreased of refugee figures for North Darfur, South and West Kordofan following completion of individual (biometric) registration.