HIGHLIGHTS
Officials at Peshkhabour border confirm that the new regulation on registration and regularization of Syrians registered as asylum seekers has been applied since the beginning of April. Syrian asylum-seekers need to apply for authorization to temporarily return to Syria from KR-I at the Relations Office at Peshkhabour border.
A total of 2,389 Syrians were admitted into KR-I through Peshkhabour border point, under a 15-day visa issued for either visiting or medical reasons. The total number of border crossings from Syria into KR-I has decreased by 23 % compared to March. The total number of arrivals from Syria into KR-I since January 2016 is 12,439 individuals.
UNHCR and its partners launched a mass information campaign on the regularization process for Syrian refugees returning to KR-I, unregistered Syrian refugees, and Syrian refugees whose asylum seekers certificates are expired or lost. UNHCR has been receiving weekly reports of new registrations and reactivations since the beginning of the campaign.
Update on Achievements
Operational Context
The humanitarian situation remains critical as the conflict continues in many parts of central and northern Iraq, causing fresh displacement in the process. As the summer season approaches temperatures are soon expected to reach above 45 Celsius degrees in many parts of the country, an additional challenge for vulnerable refugees and displaced Iraqis.
Budgetary issues as well as drop in oil prices continue to restrain the provision of basic services to refugees, displaced Iraqis, and the host population. All public sector services have been affected including: the shortage of medicines and staff in public hospitals, putting the health of serious medical cases at risk; delays in paying teachers’ salaries, which has resulted in the departure and absence of teachers from schools; and, shortages in the provision of electricity. In addition to the enormous challenges on public sectors, the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas liberated from the armed militant groups require significant resources and funds to permit conditions for return.
The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) continue fighting armed groups in parts of Anbar province, including Fallujah town that remains under the control of armed militants. In the north, the Kurdish forces with the assistance of the international coalition continue to clash with militants on the Makhmour and Sinjar fronts. The deterioration of the security situation has led to further displacement from villages in between the frontlines in Makhmour and Ninewa plains.
In Tuz Khurmato, Sal-ah-Adin Governorate, tensions rose between the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Kurdish armed forces resulting in casualties from both sides. During the reporting period Baghdad also witnessed a wave of violence and demonstrations stormed the Iraqi Parliament. The demonstrations came after the Shi’ite cleric Muqtada Sadr demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi should replace the current party affiliated cabinet with a technocratic cabinet.