REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ongoing fighting and the risk that the Syria conflict will spill over into bordering countries may be jeopardizing refugees’ access to protection in neighbouring countries. The conflict in Syria is exacerbating intersectarian tensions in Lebanon, with shelling and violence becoming increasingly widespread in the north and eastern border regions.
The security situation in countries receiving Syrian refugees is highly volatile. In Iraq, countrywide bombings continued, resulting in widespread casualties. In Egypt, mass protests on 30 June - the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of Egypt’s first democratically elected president - mobilized millions of people across the country.
Host Governments are urged to keep borders open to asylum seekers. In Iraq, the Peshkapor border crossing between Syria and the Kurdistan Region, which is hosting 95 per cent of Iraq’s Syrian refugees, has been closed since 19 May and the Al Qa’im border crossing has been closed since 29 March.
Refugees and host Governments and communities require continuing financial and operational support to address the refugee crisis. Refugees in non-camp settings in particular are challenged by high commodity prices and costs of living.