Highlights
• On 29 April 2013, AFAD - the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency of Government of Turkey announced that the total number of Syrians registered and accommodated in 17 camps in 8 provinces is 192,429 including 326 Syrians under medical treatment in the hospitals. Although the total number is slightly reduced, it is still 30% increased in total compared to the beginning of Jan 2013.
• Reportedly during the 48 hours of 27to 29 April 2013, 352 new arrival Syrians were registered and accommodated in the camps while 180 Syrians voluntarily returned to Syria during the same period of time.
According to the information from AFAD, since the beginning of the crisis, the total number of Syrians registered in the camps is nearly 300,000 (297,392) while nearly 105,000 (104.963) Syrians voluntarily returned.
• A UNHCR Public Health Expert is visiting camps and health staff in the respective provinces. During the visit to Adana/Saricam camp, the camp officials reported that they are doing their best to provide health services in the camps, but they are in need of support for medical equipment such as an ultrasound machine, gynecological and dental care equipment.
• It was reported by the Health Director in Adana/Saricam camp that during the previous week a meeting was held by the Government with the participation of all the health directors of 8 provinces as well as the health directors in charge of all the camps. The meeting addressed the challenges and the areas to be strengthened and supported in the camps with regards to the health services. Reportedly all the camps health directorates are encouraged and advised to established a "burn care unit" within all the field hospitals in the camps.
• The camp officials informed UNHCR that despite the shortage of the capacity in the camps, they are admitting the new arrivals approaching the camps spontaneously, especially with family reunification requests. It is also observed in the daily slight increases in the camps populations. Some local authorities informed that when the new camps under construction are opened, some of the vulnerable families in urban areas are considering to be transferred to the camps.