syria-un-20161223 3

United Nations Nations Unies Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 3 Once evacuated from the besieged areas, civilians had the option to go where they wished. The overwhelming majority went to non-State armed group areas. Two reception centers, in Atareb (Aleppo) and Sarmada (Idlib) were set up to receive those evacuated and information centers in Orem al Kubra and Kafr Naha continue to provide basic services and details about additional humanitarian support. While the majority opted initially to go to reception sites, many have subsequently moved on to be hosted by family and friends. Humanitarian organisations have recorded the arrival of 23,615 people to the reception centers and to more than 60 villages Approximately 1,000 people were reported to have arrived in camps along the Turkish border. Meanwhile a small number of those evacuated also chose to go to the Government areas in western Aleppo city. Those evacuated from Foah and Kefrayeh were initially moved to IDP reception centers in Aleppo city, while some stay in Aleppo, others have moved on to sites prepared by the government in Tartous, Homs and Latakkia. The United Nations teams in Homs and Tartous have been providing humanitarian support. Mr. President, Humanitarian needs amongst those evacuees arriving in reception centres have been acute. This is a displaced population who have endured months with little access to food, medical care or other essential items, so many of whom are physically and psychologically traumatised by deprivation and bombardment that they have endured. Children are particularly affected. Families have been separated throughout the evacuation movement and there are reports that at least 75 children being separated or unaccompanied upon departure from eastern Aleppo. Multiple cases of moderate and severe malnutrition have also been reported. The evacuation process itself was difficult and many times dangerous; a number of security incidents were reported during the evacuations. The UN received credible reports of non-Syrian pro-government forces in Western Aleppo stopping a bus of 800 people on 16 December, detaining and beating 10 and reportedly killing another. Further, 20 buses were reportedly attacked and burned on 18 December by a non-State armed group while en route to the evacuation site [in Foah and Kerfraya]. Other protection issues were reported, including people stranded in buses in harsh security and weather conditions, prevention of evacuations of some civilians by non-State armed groups, sporadic cases of detention of people at checkpoints, and ill-treatment and harassment of some people as they were being evacuated. Mr. President