Briefing Notes Geneva, February 1, 2013 BRIEFER: Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Spokesperson

This is a summary of what was said by the UNHCR spokesperson at todays Palais des Nations press briefing in Geneva.

1 - UNHCR humanitarian aid convoy reaches displaced people in northern Syria UNHCR has this week completed a first delivery of winter emergency relief to the Azzas area of northern Syria where thousands of internally displaced people are living in makeshift camps. Two hundred metric tons of tents and blankets was airlifted last weekend from UNHCRs central warehouse in Copenhagen to a civilian airport near Latakia on the Syrian coast. From there, it was transported by road in an eight-truck convoy to an area between Aleppo and the Syrian-Turkish border. The operation was only possible thanks to the logistics support of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the agreement and cooperation of the Syrian Government, and facilitation by the Syrian National Coalition. This allowed the convoy to safely reach people in need, in a strictly humanitarian and non-political operation. In neighboring countries the refugee numbers have continued to grow this week and 728,553 Syrians are now either registered as refugees or awaiting registration. This number comprises 237,623 in Lebanon; 227,484 in Jordan; 163,161 in Turkey; 79,769 in Iraq; 14,478 in Egypt; and 6,338 in North Africa. For further information on this topic, please contact: In Geneva: Melissa Fleming on mobile: +41 79 557 9122 Adrian Edwards on mobile: +41 79 557 9120 Sybella Wilkes on mobile +41 79 557 9138 Donate now. Your generous support to the UN Refugee Agency will provide protection, shelter, clean water, and life-saving assistance to refugees around the world.

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