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Syria: Flash update on recent events - 28 March 2018

Countries
Syria
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date

This update provides a summary of recent displacement, along with developments from the UNHCR co-led Sector/Clusters of Protection, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Shelter/Non Food Items (SNFI).

KEY DISPLACEMENT STATISTICS (AS OF 20 MARCH 2018)

 1,495,888 displacements recorded by the CCCM Cluster in the last 12 months from affected areas of northern and southern Syria:

o 1,468,911 displacements from affected areas of northern Syria, including Idleb (386,500), Ar-Raqqa (295,823), Hama (279,347), Deir-Ez-Zor (253,035), Aleppo (161,837), Homs (34,756), Al-Hassakeh (13,470), Lattakia (1,540) governorates, northern Syria. This also includes around 42,600 displacements under verification. Around 8,000 displacements were recorded so far in March 2018, primarily from Hama, Aleppo and Idleb governorates.

o 26,977 displacements from affected areas of Damascus, Rural Damascus, Sweida and Dar’a, southwestern Syria.

CONTEXTUAL DEVELOPMENTS

 Over 80,000 people have fled eastern Ghouta since 9 March, with some 47,000 people currently hosted in eight collective shelters in Rural Damascus. Following the most recent local agreements for Harasta and the Ein Terma, Kafr Batna, Hezzeh areas, only the town of Douma currently remains besieged. The UN estimates around 70,000 individuals remain in Douma.

 There are around 137,000 IDPs from Afrin, including some 105,000 people displaced to Tal Refaat, and 30,000 people to Nubol and Zahraa villages. Freedom of movement of IDPs continues to be the principal concern in all locations. Meanwhile, the UN estimates that between 50,000 to 70,000 people remain in Afrin town.

 The UN has received reports of an increase in violence in Idleb Governorate in recent days. According to local sources, on 20 March, airstrikes hit an IDP shelter in the outskirts of Haas village in southern rural Idleb Governorate, reportedly killing at least ten displaced people. On 21 March, airstrikes in southern rural Idleb reportedly killed scores more. On 22 March, the central market in Harim town was hit by an airstrike, reportedly killing 35 people, including women and children.