Plight of Syrian refugees needs addressing soon

With the Syrian conflict not seeing a foreseeable end, the suffering of innocent civilians is expected to continue and worsen. Hence, an appropriate plan needs to be set in motion in order to address the needs and requirements of the civilian population.

The United Nations on Monday appealed for $54 million (Dh198 million) to aid the growing number of Syrian refugees who have been flocking to Jordan.

The UN Children’s Fund Unicef has also noted the urgent needs and the amount sought is for the provision of health services, protection, water and sanitation for the rising number of Syrian refugees. Jordan alone is hosting around 200,000 refugees and it is expected to receive around 70,000 more. Jordan is only one country.

Turkey is also being flooded by refugees and the authorities have acted strict about allowing a bigger influx. No less than 9,000 refugees are waiting on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey awaiting the setting up of accommodation.

Given the scale of the violence in the conflict, more Syrian nationals will turn into refugees. The most gruesome fact is the severity of the casualties, especially among children. And as the world community ponders the next steps to be taken to end the fighting, it is the innocent civilians that will pay the price with their lives. It is high time that the humanitarian suffering is addressed.