OVERVIEW

As of 30 April, 7,660 people have left Rukban in nine groups and arrived in five shelters in Homs governorate. Typically, they spent around 24 hours at the shelters where children were vaccinated and families received humanitarian and medical assistance before most of them continued on to Hassya and Shamsin in southern Homs, Qaryatin and Mahin in eastern Homs or other areas.

Once they reach their destination, most families reportedly stay with relatives while they look for more permanent accommodation. Additionally, some 300 people are staying in tents.

As of 30 April, 869 people remained in the shelters – including some 300 people intending to return to Palmyra and awaiting security clearance to do so, and several men in the process of settling their status with the authorities.

The UN and partners, through SARC, continued providing the new arrivals with shelter, kitchen, dignity and hygiene kits – including blankets, mattresses, solar lamps, sleeping mats and plastic sheets – food parcels and nutrition supplies – including date bars, high energy biscuits and plumpy doz – and wheelchairs.

On 2 May, a further 3,180 people left Rukban in two groups of around 2,104 and 1,076 people respectively and are being registered in the shelters. The remaining population of Rukban is estimated at around 31,000 people.