Fire destroys UNHCR tents (for Iraqi refugees ) in Damascus depot

[Robbien]

Source: Reuters

DOUMA, Syria, October 18 (UNHCR) – A fire raced through UNHCR warehouses near Damascus on Thursday, destroying tents worth about US$1 million and setting back the refugee agency's operations in the Syrian capital.

UNHCR staff evacuated hundreds of Iraqi refugees from a registration centre adjacent to the three warehouses in Douma, located some 15 kilometres from Damascus, but there were no reports of injuries aside from some cases of smoke inhalation and shock.

"This is a serious setback for UNHCR's operations in Damascus," said Laurens Jolles, UNHCR's representative in Syria. "We have worked hard to get the centre up and running to register and assist large groups of Iraqis. We will work around the clock to re-establish the services."

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/UNHCR/09bde530062f6fafa737d11a71ab3a73.htm

[Lisa]

1. just when one thinks it can't get worse! (n/t)