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

UNHCR and ECHO launched a new project to support Turkey in the field of refugee protection and to enhance access to services for refugees and asylum-seekers in Turkey.

UNHCR and Turkish Vocational Qualifications Authority signed a Letter of Understanding to strengthen access to livelihoods for refugees hosted in the country.

During January UNHCR gave a detailed refresher on CP/SGBV Case Management (Definition, services, aim and guiding principles) in the PWG

PMU/MOPIC is looking into upgrading the system of work permit issuance, automating the process to an online system. This will also help accuracy of data collected by the MoL.

The Ministerial Conference on “Belonging and Legal Identity” concluded last week in Tunis in the presence of the member states of the جامعة الدول العربية - League of Arab States (LAS). By hosting this event - the first of its kind in the region - UNHCR and LAS contributed to supporting and strengthening protection measures for stateless persons, and developing concrete solutions to prevent and reduce the statelessness risks in the region. At the conclusion of this Ministerial Conference, Member States adopted the Arab Declaration on "Belonging and Legal Identity", which shows their shared commitment to enhancing the protection of individuals in the region through the strengthening of civil registration and citizenship systems, with particular attention to individuals at risk including refugees. “Longstanding traditions in the Arab Region recognize all rights of children to belong to enjoy their rights to family life, unity, and to have a name, a legal identity and a nationality. UNHCR and LAS brought together all relevant sectors to uphold these principles to safeguard the future of refugee children and strengthen the access of refugee women to nationality rights,” said Karim Atassi, UNHCR Egypt Representative. The event was organized by UNHCR, LAS and the Republic of Tunisia, under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Tunisia, Mr. Béji Caid Essebsi.

In Feb, 491,000 Syrian refugees residing in camps and host communities received monthly cash based transfers. Around 109,000 refugees reside in camps and 207,000 extremely vulnerable refugees living in communities received USD 28.2 per person per month; while 175,000 refugees categorized as vulnerable to food security received USD 14.1 per person per month.

To formalize and strengthen UNHCR’s long-standing cooperation, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and High Commissioner Grandi signed a Host Country Agreement.

On 25 August, the Ministry of Social Solidarity held its annual ceremony to celebrate its yearly achievements by organizing an arts and crafts exhibition for the production of NGOs in Alexandria. The day also celebrated and honoured the youth who excelled in cultural and sports activities organized by the ministry during the year. UNHCR participated with the cooperation of its partner Caritas with six tables of Syrian and Egyptian handmade accessories, leather bags, wood crafts and food products.

The Syrian Sports Academy, which is a community based initiative that was recently founded in Alexandria and supported by UNHCR through its partner Caritas, hosted the first Arab Tournament for Football. The kick-off was on 9 August where 120 athletes formed 12 teams from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and South Sudan participated in the tournament which was held with high sportsmanship. The league was held under the theme “Youth United Abroad”.