The UN refugee agency announced on March 13 the appointment of a veteran of emergency operations to coordinate its approach to the refugee crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries. As Regional Refugee Coordinator, Panos Moumtzis will be based in Geneva and work closely with the refugee agency\'s Middle East and North Africa Bureau and UNHCR representatives in concerned countries. The Arabic speaker\'s brief will also be to ensure smooth cooperation with inter-agency coordination mechanisms. He will travel frequently to the region.