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| Syrian refugees: how many are there and where are they? | Syrian refugees: how many are there and where are they? |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Update: In the last 24 hours, the UN has added more than 14,000 refugees to their total, bringing it to 1,014,757. | |
| Two years after nationwide protests sparked upheaval in Syria, the ensuing refugee crisis has reached one million people. Far from slowing down, the number of refugees has almost doubled in the past three months alone. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that the "humanitarian response capacity is dangerously stretched". | Two years after nationwide protests sparked upheaval in Syria, the ensuing refugee crisis has reached one million people. Far from slowing down, the number of refugees has almost doubled in the past three months alone. Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that the "humanitarian response capacity is dangerously stretched". |
| The current estimate, compiled by the UN's Refugee Agency is 1,000,669. Previously, the UN had thought that the number of refugees would not reach 1 million until the middle of this year. Most of the 1 million (79%) are registered as refugees but the figure also includes individuals awaiting registration. | The current estimate, compiled by the UN's Refugee Agency is 1,000,669. Previously, the UN had thought that the number of refugees would not reach 1 million until the middle of this year. Most of the 1 million (79%) are registered as refugees but the figure also includes individuals awaiting registration. |
| As registration remains difficult, data collection has become a "top priority" for the UN, meaning that the 1 million mark may be an underestimate. In Lebanon, even with the addition of two new registration centres, it typically takes 2 months to be recognised as a refugee, in Jordan, it's 2.5 months (and was 5). Iraq, which continues to struggle with its own refugee crisis, has only managed to register 192 of the estimated 105,000 Syrians that have arrived on its territory.. | As registration remains difficult, data collection has become a "top priority" for the UN, meaning that the 1 million mark may be an underestimate. In Lebanon, even with the addition of two new registration centres, it typically takes 2 months to be recognised as a refugee, in Jordan, it's 2.5 months (and was 5). Iraq, which continues to struggle with its own refugee crisis, has only managed to register 192 of the estimated 105,000 Syrians that have arrived on its territory.. |
| Where to? | Where to? |
| A third of Syrians fleeing their country head to Lebanon. Jordan received another 33%, Turkey 19% and Iraq 11%. The vulnerabilities which individuals face, as well as the challenges which host governments encounter will vary from country to country. Lebanon faces a severe shortage of essential medical supplies needed to treat refugees while aid workers in Egypt have identified mental health issues among Syrians entering the country. Meeting refugees' food needs is cited as a problem across the region. | A third of Syrians fleeing their country head to Lebanon. Jordan received another 33%, Turkey 19% and Iraq 11%. The vulnerabilities which individuals face, as well as the challenges which host governments encounter will vary from country to country. Lebanon faces a severe shortage of essential medical supplies needed to treat refugees while aid workers in Egypt have identified mental health issues among Syrians entering the country. Meeting refugees' food needs is cited as a problem across the region. |
| Jordan, which has already borne a large part of Iraq's refugee crisis over the past ten years, is now seeing its public services being stretched to breaking point. As one of the region's smaller countries, the influx of refugees has meant that Lebanon's population has swelled by 10%. Turkey has had to spend $600 million setting up 17 refugee camps and will need to continue to build more to accommodate the thousands that continue to flee Syria's borders every day. | Jordan, which has already borne a large part of Iraq's refugee crisis over the past ten years, is now seeing its public services being stretched to breaking point. As one of the region's smaller countries, the influx of refugees has meant that Lebanon's population has swelled by 10%. Turkey has had to spend $600 million setting up 17 refugee camps and will need to continue to build more to accommodate the thousands that continue to flee Syria's borders every day. |
| The strain placed on these countries poses another risk: that they will close their borders. In August 2012, Iraq sealed the Al Qaim border it shares with Syria. Though exceptions are being made for medical emergencies and family reunification, the closure is a serious concern according to UNHCR. | The strain placed on these countries poses another risk: that they will close their borders. In August 2012, Iraq sealed the Al Qaim border it shares with Syria. Though exceptions are being made for medical emergencies and family reunification, the closure is a serious concern according to UNHCR. |
| Who? | Who? |
| Demographics are an important indicator of which groups are the most vulnerable. There is a near equal split between female (52%) and male (48%) refugees. Children under the age of 18 make up more than half of the refugees according to the UN. The British charity Save the Children claims that many of these children have been separated from one or both of their parents. | Demographics are an important indicator of which groups are the most vulnerable. There is a near equal split between female (52%) and male (48%) refugees. Children under the age of 18 make up more than half of the refugees according to the UN. The British charity Save the Children claims that many of these children have been separated from one or both of their parents. |
Refugees represent just one element of the humanitarian disaster. The UNHCR estimates that 2.5 million Syrians were internally displaced as of January 2013 - meaning that they were forced to leave their homes but remained within Syria's borders. Given the ongoing conflict inside the country, these individuals are near impossible for aid agencies to reach and assist. | Refugees represent just one element of the humanitarian disaster. The UNHCR estimates that 2.5 million Syrians were internally displaced as of January 2013 - meaning that they were forced to leave their homes but remained within Syria's borders. Given the ongoing conflict inside the country, these individuals are near impossible for aid agencies to reach and assist. |
| Who's Helping? | Who's Helping? |
| So far, over $145 million has been pledged to alleviate the crisis in 2013 - less than a third of the $494 million which the UN says is needed. Contributing 46%, the United States is by far the biggest donor, followed by the European Commission (21%) and Japan (18%). | So far, over $145 million has been pledged to alleviate the crisis in 2013 - less than a third of the $494 million which the UN says is needed. Contributing 46%, the United States is by far the biggest donor, followed by the European Commission (21%) and Japan (18%). |
| Though the amounts given are very small, as a proportion of their GDPs, Norway and Kuwait are the most generous donors. In January this year, Kuwait hosted a conference for international donors aimed at increasing pledges. Though donors committed to give $1.5bn, international aid agencies announced last month that most of this had failed to materialise. | Though the amounts given are very small, as a proportion of their GDPs, Norway and Kuwait are the most generous donors. In January this year, Kuwait hosted a conference for international donors aimed at increasing pledges. Though donors committed to give $1.5bn, international aid agencies announced last month that most of this had failed to materialise. |
| Funding is further complicated by the number of organisations vying for support from governments and intergovernmental organisations. The UNHCR alone has 102 partners listed on its Syria Refugee Response page and there are many other smaller local NGOs operating in camps. | Funding is further complicated by the number of organisations vying for support from governments and intergovernmental organisations. The UNHCR alone has 102 partners listed on its Syria Refugee Response page and there are many other smaller local NGOs operating in camps. |
| Some contributions are made on a regional basis, but many donors prefer to contribute to efforts in a specific country. In line with the distribution of the refugees themselves, most funds are funnelled towards Jordan (28%), followed by Lebanon (26%), Turkey (15%) and Iraq (11%). | Some contributions are made on a regional basis, but many donors prefer to contribute to efforts in a specific country. In line with the distribution of the refugees themselves, most funds are funnelled towards Jordan (28%), followed by Lebanon (26%), Turkey (15%) and Iraq (11%). |
| The humanitarian disaster has increased pressure for other forms of aid too. Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that the UK would not rule out arming Syria's rebels if the crisis worsens. | The humanitarian disaster has increased pressure for other forms of aid too. Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that the UK would not rule out arming Syria's rebels if the crisis worsens. |
| Why? | Why? |
| The reasons cited for leaving vary by country of destination - though these do provide an insight into life in Syria. Speaking to families arriving in Lebanon, the Danish Refugee Council found that 52% claimed to have left Syria due to 'the destruction of their houses' and 10% said they fled to Syria for "fear of being arrested". | The reasons cited for leaving vary by country of destination - though these do provide an insight into life in Syria. Speaking to families arriving in Lebanon, the Danish Refugee Council found that 52% claimed to have left Syria due to 'the destruction of their houses' and 10% said they fled to Syria for "fear of being arrested". |
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