UNHCR’s Guterres: Syria refugees reach one million
Data received from UNHCR’s offices in the Syria region shows that the number of Syrians either registered as refugees or being assisted as such has now reached the one million mark.
“With a million people in flight, millions more displaced internally, and thousands of people continuing to cross the border every day, Syria is spiraling towards full-scale disaster,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres. “We are doing everything we can to help, but the international humanitarian response capacity is dangerously stretched. This tragedy has to be stopped.”
The number of Syrian refugees fleeing their country has increased dramatically since the beginning of the year. Over 400,000 have become refugees since 1st January 2013. They arrive traumatized, without possessions and having lost members of their families. Around half of the refugees are children, the majority under the age of eleven. Most have fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. Increasingly, Syrians are also fleeing to North Africa and Europe.
“This number translates into one million people who are dependent on the generosity of host countries, the response of humanitarian agencies and the financial support of governments and individuals,” said Guterres.
Guterres noted that the impact of this large number of refugees arriving in neighbouring countries is severe. Lebanon’s population has increased by as much as 10 per cent. Jordan’s energy, water, health and education services are being strained to the limit. Turkey has spent over US$600 million setting up 17 refugee camps, with more under construction. Iraq, juggling its own crisis with more than one million Iraqis internally displaced, has received over one hundred thousand Syrian refugees in the past year.
“These countries should not only be recognized for their unstinting commitment to keeping their borders open for Syrian refugees, they should be massively supported as well,” said Guterres.
In December, the UN’s Regional Response Plan for Syrian Refugees estimated that 1.1 million Syrian refugees would arrive in neighbouring countries by the end of June 2013. UNHCR is in the process adjusting this plan accordingly in light of the new figures. Currently, the plan is only approximately 25 per cent funded.
Absent a political solution to the conflict, Guterres said, “at a minimum, humanitarian actors should receive the funds needed to save lives and ease suffering.”
The Syria crisis will be two years old next week. High Commissioner Guterres will be travelling to the region later this week to visit UNHCR operations in Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Page 18 of 22
-
UNHCR issues recommendations for EU to make 2020 year of change for refugee protection
09.01.2020Recommendations include a sustainable asylum reform and an effective solidarity mechanism.
-
Historic forum yields pledges of jobs, education for refugees
18.12.2019First-ever Global Refugee Forum wraps up with over 770 pledges to boost opportunities for refugees and their hosts.
-
Northern Europe turns solidarity into action
17.12.2019States and stakeholders in Northern Europe are showing Solidarity in Action at the Global Refugee Forum by pledging to create solutions in the region and beyond – and strengthen support for refugees and their host communities.
-
World gathering on refugees opens in Geneva after ‘decade of displacement’
16.12.2019A three-day global gathering aimed at transforming the way the world responds to refugee situations starts today in Geneva, Switzerland.
-
Private sector steps up for refugees as Global Refugee Forum opens in Geneva
16.12.2019More than 30 entities from the private sector – including enterprises, law firms, foundations and many more from the entire world – have announced pledges worth more than 250 million USD at the Global Refugee Forum.
-
Northern Europe shares its good experiences
16.12.2019As inspiration for the international community, countries and stakeholders are showcasing good practices at the Global Refugee Forum.
-
UNHCR urges intensified support for displaced Afghans and refugee hosting nations
13.12.2019This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
-
Global Refugee Forum Resources
09.12.201917-18 December 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland
-
UNHCR will host the world’s first Global Refugee Forum
03.12.2019From a wide range of decision-makers and stakeholders to refugees themselves, from all over the world and all over society, will come together to mobilize action for a better refugee response.
-
UNHCR and SIPRI join forces to strengthen analysis and research on forced displacement
23.10.2019By bringing their expertise together, the two organisations aim to bring forward solid peace and conflict analysis with the view to better inform policies and strategic interventions on addressing root causes and supporting initiatives focused on solutions.