DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 1

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000236 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PRM F/O, NEA/ELA, NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2012 TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL SY IZ SUBJECT: DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 1 REF: A. MARCH 18 CORBIN-FOLEY-WITTEN TELCON ¶B. APRIL 8 WITTEN-CORBIN TELCON Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Corbin, per 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request, see para 10. ¶2. (SBU) This cable reflects Embassy Damascus's efforts to update the Department on all of Post,s continuing efforts to facilitate the resettlement of Iraqi refugees through Syria. The Embassy's role has expanded since last year because of the political difficulties caused by the SARG,s decision to suspend and subsequently allow DHS to resume interviewing (but only under a cumbersome arrangement with UNHCR). Post will send these updates on a regular basis. ¶3. (SBU) Summary: Embassy staff recently reviewed IOM's medical clearance procedures; IOM has adopted an electronic system for exchanging files and billing and plans to install supplemental WRAPS software for tracking medical exams. UNHCR has proposed a modified work week for DHS interviewers and the possibility of DHS use of an alternate facility to free up more space for UNHCR reprocessing. DHS has requested interview space modifications to make it easier for interviewers and interviewees to communicate. Finally, on April 8, Charge met IOM and UNHCR reps to discuss resettlement processing issues and contingencies for transporting refugees heading to the U.S. in the coming months. End Summary. ¶4. (SBU) MEDICAL CLEARANCES: As a part of Post,s continuing efforts to help IOM make up for lost time on processing the medical examinations of Iraqi refugees, the Embassy's senior IV FSN recently reviewed the medical clearance process between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Embassy's panel physicians. At Embassy's suggestion, both IOM and the physicians have moved away from phone calls and faxes to an electronic system for the exchange of case files and billing. IOM Damascus has the supplemental WRAPS software to track the status medical cases and plans to install and start using it in the coming days. ¶5. (SBU) IOM TRAINING: During an April 7 meeting with visiting PRM officer Norm Hastings, IOM,s Damascus Office Director Maria Rumman emphasized how useful recent training in Amman and Cairo had been for her staff. She said that she was seeking to arrange training for up to four staff members as soon as possible and would be contacting Amman soon. Specifically, she would like more training on WRAPS and generating reports, as well as management training to move some staff into supervisory roles. ¶6. (SBU) REFUGEE DEPARTURES: Maria also noted that she was reviewing ways to make the departure process with airlines more efficient. Specifically, she was focusing on how best to make travel bookings and arrangements in the most efficient and economic way possible. Rumman noted that delays in receiving approval notifications from IOM Cairo would slow efforts to make advanced travel arrangements. ¶6. (SBU) UNHCR Office Space Issue: As Charge noted to PRM (ref A),UNHCR refugee processing operations are being negatively impacted by lack of space due to DHS use of UNHCR facilities for resettlement interviews. Up to now, UNHCR staff has compensated by working late nights to meet its processing goals. UNHCR Damascus Chief Laurens Jolles proposed two ideas to the Embassy to give UNHCR more access QyAW'JIs