In Syria, Government forces are advancing in Homs and expected to retake opposition-held districts in the short-term, while operations have been ongoing in other major cities, including Aleppo and Damascus. Meanwhile, infighting within opposition forces is spreading between various armed groups. Clashes are continuously reported between Kurdish fighters and al-Qaeda affiliated Islamists near the border with Turkey in Al-Hassakeh and Ar-Raqqa governorates. Besides, tensions are also rising between the Free Syrian Army and fighters of the Islamic State Iraq and Syria, mainly in Aleppo and the countryside of Idleb. As of 5 August, over 1.89 million Syrian refugees have been registered in neighbouring countries according to the UNHCR.
Flash floods across Asia have affected several countries with at least 250,000 people affected in the Philippines 165,000 affected in Pakistan, 124,000 in Bangladesh, around 38,000 in Myanmar and 20,000 in Thailand. Flash floods triggered by days of torrential rain have killed more than 40 people and destroyed dozens of houses in Afghanistan however there is no information yet on the number of affected.
Similarly this week floods and a dengue epidemic affect Central America with more than 12,500 flood affected in Nicaragua and 16,000 in Colombia. On 31 July, Honduras declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of dengue fever that has killed 16 people so far this year. More than 13,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease.
In Botswana, the Government declared a drought for the 2013/2014 agricultural season, affecting the whole country. Almost half of the rural population, 18% of the total population, is estimated to be food insecure. Agro-based livelihoods are expected to suffer further losses and asset depletion.
Last Updated: 05/08/2013 Next Update: 12/08/2013