The ongoing crisis in Syria has led to a dramatic surge in the number of refugees fleeing to Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, the UNHCR stated in a communiqué released on Thursday.
The number of Syrian refugees who have been registered or are awaiting registration has surpassed 562,950, stated the UNHCR in its press release, stressing that this is an eight-fold increase since May when just 70,000 Syrians had registered for help.
In light of this, on 19 December, UNHCR and its partners appealed to international donors for an unprecedented USD 1 billion to support refugees fleeing Syria to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt. The Regional Response Plan for Syrian Refugees, in its fourth edition, outlines the funding needs of 55 humanitarian organizations for the first six months of 2013. It is estimated that Syrian refugee figures could surpass 1 million with an average of 2,000 and 3,000 Syrian refugees approaching humanitarian actors for assistance on a daily basis.
Established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.
“This massive humanitarian crisis requires urgent support from governments, businesses and private individuals, said Panos Moumtzis, UNHCR's Regional Coordinator for Syrian Refugees. “Unless these funds come quickly we will not be able to fully respond to the lifesaving needs of civilians who flee Syria every hour of the day - many in a truly desperate condition.”
With overnight temperatures continuing to drop, ensuring that emergency humanitarian needs are addressed, especially as it pertains to winterization, remains a priority. UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie recently travelled to the Jordan-Syria border to meet frightened and exhausted Syrian refugees who had just completed the perilous crossing to safety in Jordan, many of whom arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
UNHCR is in the process of implementing a detailed plan to cover the basic winter needs of Syrian refugees through the distribution of key items including blankets, heaters and winter clothing. Without sustained financial support, this operation will undeniably be severely hindered.
While the numbers approaching UNHCR and partners for humanitarian assistance are on the rise, securing the financial support needed is becoming progressively difficult. “With humanitarian crises becoming increasingly prolonged, UNHCR can no longer rely solely on the goodwill and generosity of governments,” said Imran Riza, UNHCR Regional Representative for the GCC during an official mission this week to the United Arab Emirates.
“Humanitarian action is a shared responsibility and the private sector, including corporate entities and individuals, is encouraged to play a more active role in supporting UNHCR’s emergency response be it through financial grants towards appeals or in-kind contributions in the form of needed humanitarian supplies such as blankets, heaters or pre-fabricated housing units,” he confirmed.
In 2011, private sector contributions made up 5% of UNHCR’s annual budget. However, this figure has been steadily increasing in the last 6 years. Governments and humanitarian organizations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have shown generosity in responding to the needs set out in previous response plans, both bilaterally and in cooperation with partners.
Emphasizing the need for urgent international solidarity, Riza stressed that “while the international community has shown an unstinting commitment to help in providing vital protection and assistance for civilians fleeing the violence in Syria, the revised appeal will require a redoubling of the humanitarian and operational effort and this will only be possible through unparalleled burden-sharing at all levels.”
