HIGHLIGHTS
Population movement – refugee numbers in the region continue to increase. More than a quarter of a million new refugees sought refuge in neighbouring countries since the beginning of April.
Operational - new refugee camp, the Emirati-Jordanian camp, initial capacity 6000, was opened in Jordan. In Iraq, high level coordination meeting by representatives of Ministries of Health and other key ministries, and multiple UN agencies was held in April. The meeting discussed the shortage of human resources in governorates most affected by the refugee crisis. Iraqi government continues to provide free access to healthcare facilities to all Syrian refugees.
Primary health care – acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea remain major causes of acute illness; high incidence of diarrhoea observed in Domiz camp, Iraq for past 6 weeks.
Disease outbreaks – measles continues to be reported in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. In Jordan, 27 cases, 5 of them from Za’atri refugee camp, have been identified since February; newly identified cases were recent refugee arrivals and there is no evidence of established transmission in Za’atri. A mass measles vaccination campaign was carried out. In Domiz, Iraq, an additional 61 cases have been detected for total of 342 since onset of outbreak. In Lebanon, approx. 16% of 365 cases identified are among Syrian refugees. Since January 2013, 130 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, almost all among Syrian refugees, have been identified in Lebanon.
Mental health issues remain serious concern. In Za’atri, Jordan, chronic depression (11%) and anxiety disorder (11%) were top two causes of hospital visits secondary to mental health conditions in April. In Lebanon, an average of 560 refugees per week received clinical and social support.