Highlights:

• On September 13,2012, theGovernment of Turkey announced that the official number of Syrians registered and accommodated in the camps as well as those under medical treatment in the hospitals is 80,177 persons.

• Reportedly during the 48 hrs of 11-13 September,1,572 Syrians were admitted and accommodated in the camps while 671 Syrians returned to Syria voluntarily.

• It was reported by the Government of Turkey (AFAD) on September 5,2012 that all Syrians who were temporarily accommodated in the schools have been transferred to camps. Reportedly more than 20,000 of Syrians were temporarily accommodated in the schools for a while until some of the camps under construction become operational..

• On September 13,2012, UNHCR High Commissioner Mr Antonio Guterres and UNHCR Special Envoy Ms Angelina Jolie visited Kilis Öncüpınar Container site and the camp in Gaziantep Islahiye and met with Syrians accommodated in the camps under Temporary Protection Regime of the Government of Turkey.

• Both the High Commissioner and the Special Envoy have expressed their gratitude to Turkish Government for keeping the borders open for Syrians who want to seek asylum and also appreciated the basic humanitarian services provided during in the camps during their stay in Turkey,

Highlights

• On September 20, 2012, the Government of Turkey reported that the official number of Syrians accommodated in the camps as well as those under medical treatment in the hospitals reached to 84,084 persons.

• Reportedly during the 48 hrs of September 18-20, 2012, 879 new arrivals were admitted and accommodated in the camps and 278 Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily.

• Due to the recent clashes across the border on Syrian side, according to Akçakale camp officials, 381 persons of new arrivals were accommodated in Akçakale camp, while in total the number of new arrivals crossed the border reached more than 1,000 persons and they were all registered after the security and medical checks were done. Reportedly since many of the new arrivals claimed to have have close family ties with local people in Akçakale town and surrounding villages they were allowed to stay with their relatives on permission. "The new arrivals from Akçakale border line still continues in smaller groups of 5-10 persons and the same process is applied to all new arrivals from Akçakale", said the local authorities.

• According to the Regional Representativeof the Minsitry of Foreign Affairs, the admissions of those across the borders of Kilis and Hatay also continues in groups, however the numbers across the border of Kilis increased to approximately 8,000 people and some 4,000 are also across the border of Hatay.

Highlights

• Official number of Syrians accommodated in the camps remained the same (84,084) as reported by the Government on September20,2012. However according to the information from the local authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairsand Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, AFAD) with recent arrivals in the last 24 hrs. the number of Syrians registered and accommodated in the camps as well as those under medical treatment in the hospitals is around 85,000 persons.

• According to the local authorities as well as the national media the clashes are still on going across the border of Akçakale and heavy artillery is used. Reportedly the new arrivals continue to cross the border from Akçakale border and they are admitted and accommodated in the camp while those who have relatives are allowed to remain with the their relatives.

• Reportedly during the last 24 hrs of September 20-21, 2012, 709 new arrivals were admitted from the borders and accommodated in the camps and 125 Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily. According to local officials 207 new arrivals were accommodated in Akçakale camp.

• Local authorities in the camps informed UNHCR that they have received a circular from YÖK (Higher Education Board) informing them that during the education year of 2012-2013, Syrian refugees who were University students in Syria will be admitted to the Universities in sevenprovinces namely Adana, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Hatay, Osmaniye and Mersin, on the condition that they pass the Turkish Language course.

Highlights

• Official number of Syrians accommodated in the camps remained the same (84,084) as reported by the Government on September20,2012 while unofficial estimated figures is around 85,000 persons.

• According to the local authorities as well as the national media the situation across the border of Akçakale is not safe and also creates security problems even for the Turkish side. Houses on the Turkish side are evacuated by the local people and the schools have been closed down until next week.

• Regional representativeof the Ministry of Foreign Affairsinformed UNHCR that during the last threedays, about 500 new arrivals were admitted from Akçakale border, of whom 40 were brought as wounded and hospitalized. Reportedly one of the wounded ones died in the hospital in Turkey.

• The camp officials in Akçakale informed that the new arrivals who have relatives are continued to be allowed to remain with the relatives on permission. According to local authorities, the number of people across the borders of Kilis and Hatay has increased to approximately 12,000 people of whom 8,000 at Kilis border and some 4,000 across Hatay borders.

Highlights

•Official figures continued to remain the same as announced on September 18, 2012(83,260) however local authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) informed that according to information from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)the number of Syrians accommodated in the camps as well as those under medical treatment in various hospitals in Turkey reached about 83,480 persons.

• Due to the recent clashes across the border on Syrian side, reportedly the opponent group, Free Syrian Armytook the control of the border gate of Tel-Abyad on the Syrian side across Akçakale. According to the local authorities there are some 500 Syrians crossed to Turkish side and all have been registered in Akçakale camp but some more than 400 of them have relatives in Akçakale town so upon their request, they were hosted by the relatives while some 100 have remained in Akçakale camp.

• According to the Regional Representativeof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, despite the admission of those across the borders of Kilis and Hatay in groups, the numbers across the border of Kilis increased to approximately 8,000 people and some 4,000 are also across the border of Hatay.

Highlights

• The official figures reported by the Government of Turkey remained the same (87,774 persons) however according to the Regional Representativeof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA) with the recent arrivals and voluntary returns the total number reached90,000 persons.

• Reportedly during the 24 hours of September 24-25, 2012, 337 new arrivals have been admitted and placed in various camps and173 persons have returned to Syria voluntarily.

• According to the national media and also confirmed by the local authorities that the clashes between the oppositions and the Syrian Government forces across the border of Akçakale started again which caused people flee. Reportedly several people crossed to Turkey.

• According to the camp management,new arrivals are registered in the camp and those who have relatives are allowed to remain with their relatives in the nearby villages otherwise they are accommodated in Akçakale camp.

• According to the MFA Regional Representative, the number of people across the borders of Kilis and Hatay remains the same as 12,000 and the admissions are in smaller groups and slow.

Highlights

• Government of Turkey on October 1,2012 reported that the total number of Syrians accommodated in the camps as well as those under medical treatment in various hospitals increased to 93,576 persons while unofficial figures are estimated to be more than 95,000 persons by the officials.

• Reportedly during the 48hrs of 01-03 October, 1,065 new arrivals were admitted to Turkey and 262 Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily. According to the authorities, there is no change in the open border policy of the Government but admissions are in smaller groups and the process is slow. The number of people waiting across the borders of Kilis and Hatay increased and it is estimated to be approximately 14,000 (8,000 at Kilis and 4,000 at Hatay borders) according to the Regional Representativeof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• According to the local authorities the clashes between the opponent groups and Syrian Government Forces are on going and the heavy artillery is used and it is heard from the Turkish side and the schools are shut down due to security concerns. According to local authorities during the last 10 days more than 2,000 new arrivals crossed the border from Akçakale. Reportedly some were accommodated in Akçakale camp while several people have been hosted by the their Turkish relatives in the nearby villages.

• According to AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) information note shared by the MFA Regional Representative in Kilis the camp in Gaziantep Nizip-1 (tent site) has also started to receive people and there are already 500 Syrians accommodated in this camp as of September 3, 2012. This brought the number of operational camps to 14 and two other camps are under construction (Gaziantep Nizip-2 a container site and Akçakale-2 tent site.

Highlight

• No new official figures reported by the Government of Turkey since October 5,2012. While the official figures remained the same 96,397 persons registered and accommodated in 14 camps in seven provinces, unofficially it is estimated that the numbers are approximately 97,500.
• The number of people across the borders of Hatay and Kilis is reportedly estimated to be 14,000 persons according to the local authorities however during several talks with the Syrians in the camps, it was reported that not all of these people across the borders are willing to cross to Turkish side but because they find the border areas safer than their villages and because of the assistance provided at zero point they prefer to travel back and forth between the borders and their villages.
• According to the local authorities the borders are open and those who want to cross the borders are admitted gradually in smaller groups. During the 24 hrs of 4-5 October, 638 Syrians were admitted and accommodated in the camps while 120 Syrians returned voluntarily to Syria.
• Reportedly while the security situation is calmed down in Akçakale, on October 5,2012, authorities reported to media that Syrian shelling hit a rural area in Turkish border province of Yayladağıon October 6,2012for the fourth time since October 5, 2012. No casualties were reported.

Highlights

• While the official numbers remained the same (101,834) as announced on October 17,2012, according to the information note of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)dated October 22, 2012 shared by the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the total number of Syrians registeredand accommodate in 14 camps in seven provinces increased 14 % since end of September 2012 and reached to 103,709 persons including 727 persons undertaking medical treatment in hospitals.

• According to the officials (AFAD) more than 12% of the total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in the camps are Turkoman origin. The population of the camp in Osmaniye are all Turkomans however there are also some Turkomans registered and accommodated in other camps as well.

• Reportedly during the 24 hrs of 21-22 October 2012,386 new arrivals were admitted and registered while 163 Syrians have returned voluntarily to Syria. The new arrivals continued to be referred to new camps in Gaziantep, Nizip-1 and Adıyaman unless they have close family members in other camps.

• UNHCR is in close consultations with the authorities for the winterization of the camps. Reportedly, the Turkish Red Crescent Society is planning to distribute winter blankets, tarpaulins and electrical heaters to the camp residents, partially to be supported by UNHCR. UNHCR Field team also made a survey in the camps in consultation with the camp officials. The team was informed about some areas of challenges and some of them have already been reportedly addressed by the authorities.However,there are some some specific requests from the camp officials like provision of plastic covers, additional blankets and heaters.

Highlights

• While the official numbers remained the same (101,834) as reported on October 17,2012, according to the information note of Disaster and Emergency Presidency (AFAD)dated October 23, 2012 shared by the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in 14 camps in seven provinces increased 14 % since end of September 2012 and reached to 103,981 persons including 702 persons undertaking medical treatment in hospitals.

• According to the authorities, there is no change in Turkey's "open border policy" despite the total number of Syrians exceeded 100,000 persons. Syrians who would like to seek asylum are admitted and referred to the newly opened camps of Nizip-1 in Gaziantep province and the camp in Adıyaman provinces, unless they have immediate family members in other camps. Due to the increase in the new arrivals (14% since end of September 2012), reportedly both Adıyaman and Nizip-1 camps have reached to almost 50% of their capacities.

• Local Government officials informed that there are more than 10,000 Syrians at the borders of Hatay and Kilis provinces however not all are willing to cross to Turkey because of the humanitarian assistance provided by the Turkish Red Crescent Society at zero point of the border and also because some prefer to remain at the border area as they feel safer.

• Reportedly during the 24 hrs of 23-24 October 2012, 381 new arrivals were admitted and registered while 171 Syrians have returned voluntarily to Syria. The new arrivals continued to be referred to new camps in Gaziantep, Nizip-1 and Adıyaman unless they have close family members in other camps.

Highlights

• Official numbers reportedby the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)on October 17, 2012remained the same (101,834) however according to the information note of AFAD dated October 29,2012 shared by the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) the total figures increased to106,497which is about 17 % increase during the month of Octoberand 210 % increase in fourmonths(since end of June 2012). Reportedly since the beginning of the crisis (April 2011) to date more than 150 thousand Syrians were admitted and registered and more than 44,000 have returned to Syria. According to the information note during 28-29 October,549 new arrivalswere admitted and registered while 103 Syrians returnedto Syria voluntarily. UNHCR Field Team continued to observe the voluntary returns of the Syrians in the camps.

• As of October 29,2012, about 105,764 Syrians are registered and accommodated in 14 camps in sevenprovinces and 733 Syrians are undertakingmedical treatment in various hospitals. According to the authorities, the second camp in Akçakale so called the expansion of the existing one had already started to admit the new arrivals, and two more camps are under construction in Gazinatep (Nizip-2) andŞanlıurfa (Harran) which both are being built as container sites.

• The MFA Regional Representative informed that the borders are open and those who would like to seek asylum are admitted although the process is slow. However,there are more than 10,000 Syrians on the Syrian side across the borders of Kilis and Hatay. They are provided humanitarian assistance at the zero point of the border by the Turkish Red Crescent. It remains unclear exactly how many people there are, the specific conditions of their stay, and the procedures in place to advance their processing where they are seeking to enter Turkey for protection.

Highlights

• No official figures reported by the Government since November 2,2012, however according to the information from the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in 14 camps established in seven provinces increased to 111,507 persons including 730 who are undertaking medical treatment in the hospitals. Reportedly since the beginning of the crisis (April 2011) the cumulative total of Syrians arrived in Turkey has been approximately 157,000 and some more than 45,000 have returned to Syria voluntarily.

• Local authorities reported that during the period of 03-05 November,2,016 new arrivals were admitted to Turkey while 409 Syrians have returned to Syrian voluntarily. Some of the camps' authorities informed UNHCR that they continued to receive spontaneous new arrivals.

• On Friday November 2, 2012, it was reported in the media and also confirmed by the camp officials that a fire broke out in Hatay Yayladağı camp caused the death of a five year old child. Reportedly the fire broke out from electricity. UNHCR staff visited the camp and observed that all tents are renewed temporarily,however,authorities are building shelters from fire-proof material in the same warehouse building where the tents were previously set up.

• On November 5, 2012, it was reported by media that a Syrian refugee was killed by another Syrian also camp resident in Kahramanmaraş camp over a fight. UNHCR staff met with the camp manager and reportedly the reason of the fight is not known however the incident is under investigation. The perpetrator of the crime was arrested and his family was transferred to another camp for safety and to avoid any further revenging acts.

• UNHCR continues to provide its technical expertise on protection and camp management to address any challenges.

Highlights

• On November 9,2012, the Government of Turkey reported that the official number of Syrians registered and accommodated in 14 camps established in seven provinces increased to 112,883 persons including 723 who are undertaking medical treatment in the hospitals. According to the official figures since the beginning of the crisis (April 2011) about 159,000 Syrians arrived in Turkey and about 46,000 of them have returned to Syria voluntarily.

• Reportedly, during the 24 hrs of 07-09 November,837 Syrians have arrived to Turkey and 212Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily. Some of the camps' authorities informed UNHCR that they continued to receive spontaneous new arrivals.

• Reportedly,due to recent clashes in Ras-Al-Ayn border town across Ceylanpınar border gate, the total number of new arrivals crossed to Turkey is estimated to be about eight-ninethousand. According to the local authorities, the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vast majority of the new arrivals are hosted by their relatives in various towns, like Ceylanpınar, Akçakale, Viranşehir, Kızıltepe, etc. while some more than 1,000 have been registered and accommodated in the Ceylanpınar camp. Reportedly,the authorities are trying to locate these new arrivals and those who want to go to the camps will be referred to camps.

• UNHCR has been in close contact with the local authorities and reportedly the situation has started to calm down and no heavy fighting is heard any longer. The local authorities informed UNHCR Field Team that during the last few hours some more than 400 people have returned voluntarily. UNHCR is closely following the situation with the local officials for the update.

Highlights

• According to the official figures reported by the Government of Turkey on November 12,the number of Syrians registered and accommodated in 14 campsestablished insevenprovincesincreased to about 115,000 personsincluding 729 who are undertakingmedical treatment in the hospitals. According to the local officials, with the estimated number of up to 70,000 Syrians living in urban,the total number of Syrians in Turkey is approximately 185,000persons.

• Reportedly, during the 48 hrs of 10-12 November, 2,340 Syrianshave arrived to Turkey and 1,363Syrians have returnedto Syria voluntarily. Some of the camps' authorities informed UNHCR that they continued to receive spontaneous new arrivals.

• Due to the escalated situation in Ras Al-Ayn border town across Ceylanpınar since Friday, it is estimated that some 8,000-9,000 Syrians crossed to border from various points of the border line and the vast majority of these new arrivals are hosted by their relatives in the nearby villages as well as Ceylanpınar, Akçakale, Viranşehir and Kızıltepe towns. Reportedly some 4,000 of these new arrivals have been registered in Akçakale and Ceylanpınar camps during the period November2012 however some of these people have also moved out on permission to their relatives.

• On 12 November12,2012, local officials informed UNHCR that 1,289 new arrivals were registered in Ceylanpınar camp and 22 wounded people of whom fivedied in the hospital were brought to Turkey for medical treatment after the air bombings in Ras Al-Ayn by the Syrian Government.

• According to theRegional Representativeof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Syrians across the borders of Kilis and Hatay also increased and it is estimated to be about 20,000 people. Reportedly these people are admitted in smaller groups as per accommodation capacity of the current camps. There are two container sites under construction in Gaziantep province (Nizip-2) and Şanlıurfa Harran. Reportedly,there are also efforts of the Government to identify additional sites to build more camps.

Highlights

• No new official figures reported by the Government of Turkey on November 14, 2012, however, according to information from authorities the number of Syrians registered and staying in 14 camps in seven provinces increased to 117,811 persons including 684 who are undertaking medical treatment in hospitals.

• Additional to those who are staying in the camps,there is also an estimated number of some 8,000-9,000 Syrians who have been registered in the camps but moved out on permission and staying with their relatives in urban and there are also about 70,000 who are living in urban in privately rented accommodations which brings the overall total to about more than 200,000.

• According to Government officials, there is an ongoing identification of those increasing in the urban settings as the numbers coming who stay in camps is not fully representative and many new arrivals are opting to stay instead in the urban settings. Reportedly, some 9,000-10,000 are already identified in Kilis and the process is on going in other areas like Gaziantep and towns of Şanlıurfa for those who crossed recently due to the clashes in Ras Al-Ayn.

• Reportedly, during the 48 hrs of 12-14 November, 3, 406 Syrians have arrived to Turkey and 386 Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily. It was reported by the camp officials that there were some spontaneous arrivals who crossed the borders and approached directly to the camps where they already knew they have relatives staying and were admitted and registered by the camp officials. According to the local authorities,despite the clashes in both Ras Al-Ayn across Ceylanpınar and Ayn Al-Arab across Mürşitpinar Suruç, there has been no mass influx of crossings to Turkey but in smaller numbers. Reportedly among those who crossed to Turkey there were eight wounded and one died in the hospital.

•No new official figures reportedby the Government of Turkey since November 16, 2012,however,according to the information from the local authorities the total number of Syrians registered and staying in 14 campsin sevenprovincesincreasedto 121,474persons including 697who are undertakingmedical treatmentin hospitals.

• Reportedly during the 48 hrs of 16-18 November,1,675new arrival Syrianshave been registered and accommodated in the camps while 408 Syrians have reportedly returned to Syria voluntarily. Reportedly the majority of the new arrivals have crossed from Akçakale and Ceylanpınar borders. According to the camp officials of Ceylanpınar, during the period of November 8-16, 2012,more than six thousand (6,368) Syrians were registered in the camp and about 5,700 of them left the camp on permission to stay with their relatives.

• During the reporting period UNHCR Field Teams continued to visit the camps, and observed the voluntary return interviews aswell as provided technical support and advice to the camp officials on specific protection issues, registration etc. UNHCR also met withthe Local authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish Red Crescent, Coordinator Governor) to exchange the observations in the camps and recommendations for practical solutions.

• Reportedly the number of Syrians across the borders of Hatay and Kilis is increasing and according to the estimation of thelocal authorities based on the food packages distributed by the Turkish Red Crescent at zero point of the border, there are about 25,000 Syrians in various locations across Kilis and Hatay borders. UNHCR Field team spoke with some of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs )providing support to displaced Syrians and they also confirmed that there are thousands of Syrians across the border of Hatay. According to our interlocutors, Syrians are assisted by NGOs in camps and reportedly not all may be willing to cross to Turkey because they believe it is safer to be in these camps than their villages and assistance is provided. UNHCR continues to advise on the importance ofensuring access to protection for those seeking it, and in particular of prioritizing those in vulnerable circumstances for access to theborder where persons are seeking to enter Turkey.

HIGHLIGHTS

• No new official figuresreportedby the Government of Turkey since November 16, 2012. However,as per information from the authorities the total number of Syrians registered and staying in 14 campsin sevenprovincesis 120,848 persons. Reportedly,during the 24hrs of 18-19 November, 590 Syrians newly arrived while 1,023 Syrians returned voluntarily to Syria.

• According to the information from the officials, apart from the container site in Nizip-2 with 5,000 capacity in Gaziantep province, the container site in Harran-Kökenli with 10,000 capacity is also under construction. After the completion of these two camps, the overall capacity will be increased to more than 140,000 persons.

• UNHCR Field Teams continued to visit the camps and kept the close cooperation with the camp officials to observe the vol-rep interviews.UNHCR also provided the technical support and shared expertise for practical solutions on specific protection related issues.

• UNHCR's additional support to the Government of Turkey for winterization is expected to arrive in Turkey during the week and will be delivered to the Turkish Red Crescent. World Food Programmealso started the distribution of food cards to the Syrian refugees in Hatay camps during the week. The Government of Turkey started to distribute additional items to the Syrian refugees and reportedly additional support is needed for winterization (clothing,winter tents,heaters and blankets etc,).

Highlights

• No new official numbers reported by the Government of Turkey since November 21, 2012. However, according to the information from the local authorities with the recent new arrivals of 2,115 Syrians in the last 48 hrs of November 21-23, 2012 the total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in the camps increased to 125,277 persons. Reportedly, during the same 48 hrs 435 Syrians returned to Syria voluntarily.

• The current number of Syrians is over 125,000 accommodated in 14 camps in seven provinces. This is an increase of 15% since the end of October 2012. Additional to those in the camps, there are reportedly up to 70,000 Syrians residing in urban areas as well as with their relatives in the villages of Akçakale and Ceylanpınar.

• According to the Regional Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kilis, the number of Syrians across the borders are still estimated to be around 25,000 based on the number of food packages delivered at zero point of the border by Turkish authoriti es. During meetings with the interlocutors, UNHCR was informed that not all of the persons on the Syrian side wanted to cross to Turkey.

• UNHCR Field Teams continued be present in the camps, observed the voluntary repatriation interviews of those returning to Syria, met with the counterparts and provided technical advice to camp officials in the field. It was reported by the local authorities in Hatay that the WFP/Turkish Red Crescent Society Food card distribution was completed during the week. Therefore,

Highlights

• Government of Turkey (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency-AFAD) reported that the total number of Syrians accommodated in 14 camps, in seven provinces increased to 137,756 persons including those undertaking medical treatment in hospitals and their companions (665persons) on December 11, 2012. During the reporting period 1,103 new arrivals were reportedly admitted from the borders and 67 Syrians returned to Syria voluntarily.

• Local authorities reported that the winterization of the camps was on going. During the a visit to the camps, in Osmaniye, UNHCR team was informed that there is a shortage of clothing and requested if clothing for men, women, and children can be provided. Reportedly the distribution of floor platforms for tents funded by AFAD will be produced locally and distributed soon.

• During the visit to Karkamış camp, UNHCR team members observed that there was an increasing interest from the Syrian women (200 already registered) to the vocational courses (tailoring, sewing, fabric garnishing and wool knitting courses). The local authorities already started to place 10 knitting machines in the camp for the Syrian refugees. Also in Karkamış, the construction of new latrines and bathrooms is on going. Drainage excavation work is also continuing.

•UNHCR is working in close cooperation with Government officials (Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD) to provide support to the winterization of the camps which additional winter tents will be provided. It was also agreed with the Government of Turkey that UNHCR will provide kitchen sets and cooking sets for the expansion of WFP food card system to other camps.

•According to the official camps' population figures, almost all the camps are already full to their capacity. Reportedly some thousands of them are staying with their relatives in the neighboring villages on permission from the camp officials after being registered with the camps (i.e.:Ceylanpınar-9,800 and Akçakale-4,120 persons).

•While the construction of the two containersites (Nizip-2in GaziantepandHarran-KökenliinŞanlıurfa) in still on-going and expected to be operational by early Jan 2013, local authorities (MFA and AFAD) also informed UNHCR that there are four more camps (three container sites and one tent camp) also under construction.

17-12-2012 Operational Update

As the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, the needs of hundreds of thousands of people in terms of water, food and medical assistance continue to grow. The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are doing their best to reach those in need.

For English turn subtitles on (CC)

As a result of the constant escalation of violence, Syria's infrastructure has been considerably degraded. Essential public services such as the supply of water are severely affected.

"Millions of people are at risk of not having enough clean drinking water," said Sameer Putros, who is in charge of the ICRC's water and habitat activities in Syria. "Security constraints, and shortages of the products required to treat water, make it difficult for local water boards to provide clean water for residents and displaced people."

Since November, the ICRC has been supporting the Ministry of Water Resources and local water boards by providing consumable water-treatment products. "Our project helped ensure that some 10 million people in Tartous, Lattakia, Al-Quneitra, Deir Ezzor, Al Hassakeh, Al-Raqqa, Homs, Damascus and Rural Damascus, Hama, Daraa and Al Sweida have clean water," said Mr Putros.

The ICRC's efforts to help ensure that people have clean drinking water have at times been hampered in certain areas, such as Aleppo and Deir Ezzor, because of the ongoing armed confrontations. "Water that has not been disinfected can contain various bacteria and viruses that may cause all kinds of gastrointestinal disorders, such as acute diarrhoea, which can be fatal, especially for small children and elderly people," explained Andrea Reis, who coordinates the ICRC's health activities in Syria. "It is vitally important, therefore, that water engineers and other humanitarian workers be allowed to carry out their activities in safety."

Together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRC also delivers water by truck to areas in Rural Damascus, Homs and Deir Ezzor. In exceptional cases of extreme emergency, the ICRC has also started distributing bottled drinking water to people who have just been displaced.

In addition to providing water, the ICRC makes available to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent the supplies and technical expertise required to upgrade water and sanitary facilities in schools and other public buildings housing displaced people. "We have to expand the facilities, install showers, introduce separate toilets for men and women, and set up water heating units for the winter season to help the people accommodated cope with the low temperatures," said Mr Putros.

Between 25 October and 5 December, together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRC:

• supplied local water boards with 250 tonnes of aluminium sulphate and significant quantities of other water-treatment products to ensure that clean water is available to some 10 million people for three months;

• continued to deliver water by truck to areas in Rural Damascus, Homs and Deir Ezzor for more than 100,000 internally displaced people;

• upgraded water, sanitary and housing facilities in centres sheltering displaced people, including in schools and other public buildings, in the governorates of Homs, Aleppo, al-Raqqa, al-Sweida and Idlib. The work has been completed in 270 centres housing more than 80,000 people, but is still under way in 145 centres;

• provided four generators for installation in Homs governorate. The generators will help water boards improve the water flow.

In addition to the water and habitat activities it has carried out over the past six weeks, the ICRC has also distributed food to nearly 200,000 people displaced by the conflict. The distributions covered Rural Damascus, Homs, Deir Ezzor and al-Raqqa to the east, Aleppo and Idlib in the north. In addition, the ICRC distributed mattresses, blankets and hygiene items for around 35,000 people.

The ICRC also delivered intravenous fluids, anaesthetics and other medicines required for surgery, surgical supplies, wound-dressing materials and other medical supplies to the old city of Homs. In addition, an operating table, surgical equipment and anaesthetic drugs were delivered to Ibn al Nafees Hospital in Damascus. The ICRC also conducted an evaluation of al-Nahda private hospital in Homs as part of an ongoing assessment of health facilities in several parts of the country.

For further information, please contact:

Rabab Al-Rifaï, ICRC Damascus, tel: +963 993 700 847 or +963 11 331 0476

Rima Kamal, ICRC Damascus, tel: + 963 930 33 67 18 or + 963 11 331 0476

Alexis Heeb, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 37 72 or +41 79 218 76 10

Marie-Claire Feghali, ICRC Geneva, tel : + 41 22 730 25 78 or + 41 79 244 64 63