Highlights
• Turkey, the total number of Syrians registered in 15 camps in 7 provinces increased by 10% since end of 2012 and reached to 163,161 persons including 189 Syrians under medical treatment in hospitals.
• Reportedly during the reporting period of 18-27 Jan. 2013, 5,144 Syrians were admitted from the borders while 1,710 Syrians returned voluntarily to Syria.
• According to the local authorities, there are several additional camps are under construction to increase the accommodation capacity for the new arrivals. While the construction is still on going, the new container site in Harran in Sanliurfa already started to admit some of the new arrivals as well as some who have been temporarily accommodated in public places and guesthouses in Nizip town of Gaziantep province. As of 27 Jan 2013, 2,248 Syrians are accommodated in Harran container site. The container site in Nizip with 5,000 capacity is expected to be opened in Feb 2013. According to the local authorities 3,834 Syrians are temporarily accommodated in the public places and guesthouses until they are moved to the camps.
• MFA Regional Representative informed UNHCR Field Team that the number of Syrians across the border of Hatay and Kilis is estimated to be about 40,000. Reportedly about 8,000 are across Kilis border and some 32,000 are across Hatay border - 17,000 across Reyhanli, 10,000 Altinozu and 5,000 across Yayladagi towns and basic humanitarian assistance is delivered to them by Turkish Red Crescent at zero point. UNHCR continuing to call upon all states to keep borders open, and will continue to work with all states including Turkey to expand capacity to accommodate Syrians fleeing to seek protection.
• During the meetings with the local authorities, it was also reported there are also some 2,000 Syrians accommodating in school buildings in Telabyad across Akcakale and they are provided basic humanitarian assistance by Turkish Red Crescent regularly.