Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
This update provides a summary of recent displacement, along with developments from the UNHCR co-led Sector/Clusters of Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Shelter/Non Food Items (SNFI) and Protection.
KEY DISPLACEMENT STATISTICS
- In total, 140,773 people are displaced in northern and southern Syria due to developments between February through May 2016. This includes: o 84,785 people displaced in affected areas of Aleppo (66,413), Idleb (15,772), Homs (1,327), Lattakia (1,273) governorates, northern Syria, due to fighting since 1 February 2016 (figures as of 30 March). o 45,188 people displaced in affected areas of Al-Hasakeh Governorate, northern Syria, due to fighting since 1 February 2016 (figures as of 28 May). This is an increase of 904 people since 24 May. o 10,800 people newly displaced in Dar’a and Quneitra governorates, southern Syria, due to fighting from March to April 2016.
- According to reliable sources, there are 68,000 Syrian asylum seekers at the berm (Jordan-Syria border). As at 31 May, around 36,993 of the asylum seekers remaining at the berm have been registered by UNHCR (26,213 at Rukban and 10,780 at Hadalat).
NEW POPULATION MOVEMENTS
- In the last week approximately 4,500 people were able to flee westwards along the route to Afrin (southwest of A’zaz), even though the route is unsafe and cannot be considered truly open. Some 300 IDPs have also reportedly arrived to Robar IDP settlement in Afrin.
- At least 4,200 IDPs are estimated to have fled the eastern part of the A’zaz IDP settlements to the western part. One mobile medical clinic was moved westwards to Yazibag IDP settlement, and NGOs are scaling up their relief activities.
CONTEXTUAL DEVELOPMENTS
- On 1 June, the besieged town of Darayya, south of Damascus, received its first aid convoy since November 2012. A localized, 48-hour cessation of hostilities reportedly enabled the delivery of vaccines, baby milk, medicine and nutritional goods. Last month, United Nations officials had said the town was suffering dire shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
- In northern Syria, ISIS reportedly made further advances near the towns of A’zaz and Mare’a, in northern Aleppo Governorate. Currently some 163,000 IDPs are within the A’zaz corridor near the Turkish border.
- On 31 May, warplanes reportedly hit opposition-held areas in Idleb, north-west Syria, killing 23 civilians in the heaviest strikes in months. Fighting also continues around Aleppo, and the United Nations has expressed deep concern over the fate of Syrians trapped by fighting around Mare’a and Sheikh Issa.
- In southern Syria, clashes between armed groups reportedly continued in the south-west and north-west of Dar’a Governorate. However, the access route to north-west Dar’a Governorate reportedly remained open.