TFIZ01: JORDAN HUMANITARIAN UPDATE

UNCLAS AMMAN 001664 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA AND PRM; PLEASE PASS TO USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PREL EAID IZ JO SUBJECT: TFIZ01: JORDAN HUMANITARIAN UPDATE REF: AMMAN 1622 ¶1. According to UNHCR Emergency Coordinator Carlos Maldonado, UNHCR today began erecting tents at the refugee camp at Ruweished (also identified on USG maps as Ruwayshid or H-4). Poor weather conditions (rain & sandstorms) are hindering UNHCR's efforts, but Maldonado reports that the camp is ready to receive limited population flows. All necessary water/sanitation infrastructure is now in place. UNHCR will be ready to receive its anticipated initial influx of 5,000 refugees within the next 72 hours. ¶2. UNHCR has a team of monitors at the Jordan-Iraq border. The monitors report that no Iraqi refugees have approached the border, but that two carloads of Sudanese nationals entered Jordan today. The Sudanese nationals reportedly had arranged their evacuation from Iraq with the Sudanese embassy in Jordan, and were given authorization by the GOJ to pass directly to Amman. No other TCN movements were reported. GNEHM