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One million Syrian refugees. Two obstacles to addressing the problem One million Syrian refugees. Two obstacles to addressing the problem
(7 months later)
Last December the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, announced that the number of refugees fleeing violence in Syria might reach 1 million by June. Today, a full three months ahead of that prediction, comes news that this grim milestone has now been reached.Last December the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, announced that the number of refugees fleeing violence in Syria might reach 1 million by June. Today, a full three months ahead of that prediction, comes news that this grim milestone has now been reached.
Two years after the start of the conflict the arrival of the millionth refugee across the Syrian border is a stark illustration of a crisis that is bringing fear, pain and suffering on a massive scale. Within Syria itself violence is intensifying and more than 4 million people, at least half of whom are children, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. In neighbouring countries – Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt – governments and humanitarian organisations, including Unicef, are struggling to meet even the most essential needs of the refugees.Two years after the start of the conflict the arrival of the millionth refugee across the Syrian border is a stark illustration of a crisis that is bringing fear, pain and suffering on a massive scale. Within Syria itself violence is intensifying and more than 4 million people, at least half of whom are children, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. In neighbouring countries – Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt – governments and humanitarian organisations, including Unicef, are struggling to meet even the most essential needs of the refugees.
As this crisis approaches its third year, the initial trickle has grown steadily until now more than 7,000 refugees cross Syria's borders each night. Last night a BBC news crew on the Jordanian border said they counted 1,000 refugees crossing from Syria in the space of just half an hour. Travelling under cover of darkness, the refugee children and their families arrive frightened and exhausted, frequently with little more than the clothes on their backs.As this crisis approaches its third year, the initial trickle has grown steadily until now more than 7,000 refugees cross Syria's borders each night. Last night a BBC news crew on the Jordanian border said they counted 1,000 refugees crossing from Syria in the space of just half an hour. Travelling under cover of darkness, the refugee children and their families arrive frightened and exhausted, frequently with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Visiting the overcrowded Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan recently it was clear to me just how much Syria's children have had to endure. Many have experienced tragic loss and witnessed horrific violence. Others are suffering with coughs, pneumonia and respiratory infections. I was shocked to hear small children tell me their stories of how they hid in basements, found their homes destroyed and fled to the border on foot at night with gunfire. Those deeply personal and intensely moving conversations will stay with me.Visiting the overcrowded Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan recently it was clear to me just how much Syria's children have had to endure. Many have experienced tragic loss and witnessed horrific violence. Others are suffering with coughs, pneumonia and respiratory infections. I was shocked to hear small children tell me their stories of how they hid in basements, found their homes destroyed and fled to the border on foot at night with gunfire. Those deeply personal and intensely moving conversations will stay with me.
The scale of the crisis facing Syria's children requires a massive response from international humanitarian organisations. Unicef staff and partners are working around the clock to provide essential water, vaccines, emotional and psychological support, education, protection and nutrition to children and families in desperate and urgent need. We are currently providing the supplies and services that can secure safe water for more than 10 million people in Syria – close to half the population. But despite the courageous efforts of our teams, we are facing two serious obstacles which, if they cannot be addressed with urgency, will mean more suffering and a continuing flow of desperate refugee children.The scale of the crisis facing Syria's children requires a massive response from international humanitarian organisations. Unicef staff and partners are working around the clock to provide essential water, vaccines, emotional and psychological support, education, protection and nutrition to children and families in desperate and urgent need. We are currently providing the supplies and services that can secure safe water for more than 10 million people in Syria – close to half the population. But despite the courageous efforts of our teams, we are facing two serious obstacles which, if they cannot be addressed with urgency, will mean more suffering and a continuing flow of desperate refugee children.
The first is the intensification of violence in Syria. In separate incidents last month 70 children died when missiles struck residential areas of Aleppo, and 20 children died from a bomb blast in their Damascus classroom. At least 2 million people have been displaced within Syria, many sheltering in bombed-out buildings or makeshift camps. With no political resolution to the crisis in sight it is hard to see how the suffering of the children in Syria will be eased and how the flow of refugees will be stemmed.The first is the intensification of violence in Syria. In separate incidents last month 70 children died when missiles struck residential areas of Aleppo, and 20 children died from a bomb blast in their Damascus classroom. At least 2 million people have been displaced within Syria, many sheltering in bombed-out buildings or makeshift camps. With no political resolution to the crisis in sight it is hard to see how the suffering of the children in Syria will be eased and how the flow of refugees will be stemmed.
The second factor is a chronic lack of funding, which is threatening to leave many Syrian children without essential assistance. Indeed, unless an 80% funding gap is bridged very soon, Unicef will be forced to scale back on even life-saving interventions. For example, supplies of chlorine for clean drinking water in Syria will only last until the end of this month unless the funds are available to buy more. An immunisation programme planned for April, to reach 2 million, may not reach those who need it. Without these vital supplies, millions of children could be exposed to the risk of life-threatening diseases.The second factor is a chronic lack of funding, which is threatening to leave many Syrian children without essential assistance. Indeed, unless an 80% funding gap is bridged very soon, Unicef will be forced to scale back on even life-saving interventions. For example, supplies of chlorine for clean drinking water in Syria will only last until the end of this month unless the funds are available to buy more. An immunisation programme planned for April, to reach 2 million, may not reach those who need it. Without these vital supplies, millions of children could be exposed to the risk of life-threatening diseases.
Following a sudden disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami, the response of the international community is rapid and effective. Public generosity is mobilised, funds pour in, high-level political decisions are made to ensure that relief reaches those in need as quickly as possible. While the situation in Syria is not a natural disaster, it is a crisis and the suffering of Syria's children is no less extreme.Following a sudden disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami, the response of the international community is rapid and effective. Public generosity is mobilised, funds pour in, high-level political decisions are made to ensure that relief reaches those in need as quickly as possible. While the situation in Syria is not a natural disaster, it is a crisis and the suffering of Syria's children is no less extreme.
Media moments like today's "millionth refugee milestone" or next week's marking of "two years of conflict" are desperately important for focusing minds on the suffering of the children of Syria. Hopefully they will produce a surge in attention and public concern that will spur the international community, with a renewed sense of urgency and determination, to ensure that pledges are delivered and sufficient funds are made available to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance.Media moments like today's "millionth refugee milestone" or next week's marking of "two years of conflict" are desperately important for focusing minds on the suffering of the children of Syria. Hopefully they will produce a surge in attention and public concern that will spur the international community, with a renewed sense of urgency and determination, to ensure that pledges are delivered and sufficient funds are made available to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
For one child, in Syria or outside its borders, to be living in fear or without the basic help needed to survive is a terrible thing. If we can see each of the million refugees as a multiple of that individual suffering, it is not just a number, it is a desperate human tragedy that staggers the imagination and demands immediate action.For one child, in Syria or outside its borders, to be living in fear or without the basic help needed to survive is a terrible thing. If we can see each of the million refugees as a multiple of that individual suffering, it is not just a number, it is a desperate human tragedy that staggers the imagination and demands immediate action.
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