HIGHLIGHTS:
The Directorate of General Security (GSO) in Lebanon replaced the pledge not to work by the pledge to abide by Lebanese laws as part of the residency renewal requirements. The USD 200 fee is, nevertheless, still necessary. UNHCR is also advocating for all GSO offices to accept the UNHCR registration certificates instead of proof of a Lebanese sponsor for the residency renewal, because of reports connecting the sponsorship to exploitation of refugees.
The Protection Sector and HelpAge International carried-out a training on the “Inclusion and Protection of Older People in Emergencies.” The two-day training for frontline workers and programme managers aimed at strengthening the identification and mainstreaming of key protection needs of elderly during periods of crisis. The Syrian refugee crisis has affected traditional family structures leaving some elderly persons neglected and in a vulnerable situation without adequate care.
In Jordan, the Gender Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) Task Force shared its 2015 Annual Report. Key positive changes include increases in the availability of health services to SGBV survivors, and increases in SGBV survivors referred to livelihoods services, such as cash-forwork programmes or skills training, particularly in Za’atari Camp. The continued persistence of domestic violence and early marriage remain the most common forms of SGBV reported.
In Iraq, during the month of July, 2,820 Syrians arrived in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) through the Pheshkabour border. Amongst them, 2,002 were readmissions of pre-authorized temporary returns, including medical reasons; 593 first time admissions under 15-day visa for medical reasons; and 225 first time admissions for family visit purposes. No asylum requests were registered