Dubai: More than three thousands Syrians, 75 per cent of them women and children, flee their war-ravaged country every day, warned UN officials in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
“The number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries mainly Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, could reach 710,000, from the current number of more than 300,000, by the end of this year, almost four times the forecast made in June,” said Radhouane Nouicer, UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria.
He said Syrians with only the clothes on their backs flee areas of violence across the country, including Daraa, Homs, Damascus, Hama, Aleppo and Idlib. “The security situation along the borders remain precarious and refugees report being targeted as they seek to cross into neighbouring countries,” Nouicer said.
Nouicer warned humanitarian needs continued to escalate as the violence spreads and deepens by the day, with 2.5 million people being in need of humanitarian assistance, including 1.2 internally displaced people hosted in schools and public buildings. Three more million people are at imminent risk of food insecurity.
“Over the last two weeks, fighting has continued in the governorates of Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Deir Ez Zor, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, rural Damascus and Daraa. The security situation in Ar Raqqa has also deteriorated.”
He added ordinary civilians are the primary victims of the violence. “An ever-growing number of people are displaced, many for the second or third time.”
Nouicer said children are experiencing and witnessing appalling violations. Boys and girls are routinely targeted, maimed and killed. Thousands of children have been injured or forced to leave their homes. The use of heavy weaponry, including air stikes in densely populated areas creates fear and trauma, especially among children.
He warned that as schools resumed on September 16, tens of thousands of children were unable to return.
Panos Moumtzis, UN Regional Refugee Coordinator, warned funding gaps impeded the humanitarian response.
“The UN and humanitarian partners have launched a revised appeal for $488 million (Dh1.79 billion) to meet the growing humanitarian needs among Syrian refugees. This is the second revision of the plan this year. The appeal foresees that the number of refugees could increase to 710,000 people by the end of this year. As winter is fast approaching, items such as winterized tents, caravans, blankets and clothing are needed. The revision includes provisions for the opening of additional refugee camps an support to host communities. The appeal is currently 29 per cent funded,” Moumtzis said.
The officials are on a five-day tour of the Gulf region, which will also take them to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
