UNHCR [to 8 March 2014]
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Press Releases and Latest News
UNHCR condemns deadly attack in Homs on collective shelter
Press Releases, 8 March 2014
UNHCR learned this morning of an attack in Homs that has resulted in one death and others being wounded at a shelter in which scores of evacuees are being held.

The attack on the Al Andalus collective shelter – an abandoned school – occurred just after midnight local time, when mortars hit a wall. A local resident was killed, and some 10 people in the centre were wounded. All were hospitalized. UNHCR is awaiting further word on their conditions and those of others still in the shelter.

“We are taking this extremely seriously,” said Amin Awad, UNHCR’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “All parties to Syria’s conflict have obligations under international law relating to the protection of people not involved in the conflict.

In early-mid February, UN staff and volunteers from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent assisted more than 1,400 people to leave the Old City of Homs during a three-day “humanitarian pause”. However not everyone was able to leave, and 336 men and boys were kept behind at the Al Andalus centre for screening.

Information on the attack is still sparse. It is not fully clear at this stage whether the shelter was deliberately targeted and who the perpetrators were…

Continuing conflict in Iraq’s province displaces thousands, some for second time
During the past week the number of displaced people in the town of Heet and surrounding areas has increased by some 25,000-30,000 people.

Innovation: New Rwanda site a pilot for refugee camp planning and design
UNHCR is moving 9,000 refugees from a crowded transit centre to the new Mugombwa camp, Rwanda’s fifth, built on government-allocated land.

International Women’s Day: Raped girl’s education dreams go up in smoke
UNHCR puts a priority on spreading awareness about sexual and gender-based violence and at preventing a scourge that affects millions around the world.

International Women’s Day: UNHCR pledges to advance gender equality programme
António Guterres pledges progress on gender equality and female empowerment while noting that forced displacement exacerbates the risks that women and girls face.

UNHCR concerned about getting food deliveries to refugees in South Sudan
The health and nutrition status of refugees is at risk and the problem is not just food shortages but the safe passage of other humanitarian relief supplies too.

Briefing Notes
Refugee information presented in twice-weekly press briefings in Geneva.
:: 7 March 2014 – UNHCR highlights urgency of need for safe passage of food deliveries in South Sudan Pakistan begins issuing new cards to 1.6 million Afghan refugees

:: 7 March 2014 – Displacement of people continues to rise in Anbar, Iraq

:: 4 March 2014 – UNHCR appeals for accelerated help for refugees fleeing CAR, South Sudan