UNHCR warns of funding shortfall for Syrian refugees
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
One month after the United Nations and its humanitarian partners issued an appeal for US$84 million to help Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, less than twenty per cent of the funds have been given. Of the 34 organisations that have appealed for funds under the Syria Regional Response Plan, only eight have received funding to date totaling US$15.6 million dollars.
Agencies that provide lifesaving support need the funds to be able to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs. According to UNHCR and its partners in the region, both the refugees and the countries hosting them are beginning to show signs of strain. Many refugees arrived with little or no financial resources, so are mostly reliant on the efforts of the host community and organizations dedicated to supporting them.
Over 61,000 Syrian refugees are being assisted in the region (Lebanon: 21,000, Jordan: 13,751, Turkey: 23,971 and Iraq: 2,376). Of this number, over 45,000 have been registered by the authorities and UNHCR. They have all maintained an open borders policy for Syrian refugees.
Despite the lack of funding, the UN and its partners continue to implement essential programmes to assist the refugees and support their host communities.
Highlights of the programmes led by UNHCR include the airlifting of tents and blankets to Turkey, a cash assistance programme in Jordan, outreach programmes to identify the most vulnerable in Jordan and Lebanon and rehabilitation of homes and community centres in Jordan and Lebanon.
Children are particularly badly affected by the crisis, with many showing signs of trauma and grave distress. In Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon the governments are actively encouraging the enrollment of children in schools. UNICEF is supporting education programmes, psychosocial support and child friendly spaces in Jordan and Lebanon.
Food and basic household items are a key concern for many refugees who have little or no financial resources. UNHCR has provided food and household items to over 30,000 Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon. WFP is providing food assistance to refugees in Jordan and has reached an agreement to start operations in Lebanon.
Numerous NGOs, including Caritas, the Jordan Health Aid Society and the International Medical Corps are supporting healthcare for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. UNICEF is providing immunization coverage and care. NGOs are also playing an important role in community outreach.
The Syria Regional Response Plan outlines the response needs for Syrian refugees who have fled the country since March 2011. The plan is an inter-agency framework led by UNHCR and the result of a coordinated effort between seven UN agencies, 27 national and international NGOs and host governments.
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- In Geneva: Melissa Fleming on mobile +41 79 557 91 22
- In Geneva: Sybella Wilkes on mobile +41 79 557 91 38
Related news and stories
Earthquake survivors in Türkiye count the devastating toll
Twelve years on, Syrian refugees face deepening debt and hunger
Twelve years on, Syrian refugees face deepening debt and hunger
Visiting earthquake-ravaged areas of Türkiye and Syria, UNHCR's Grandi urges more support for survivors trying to rebuild
UNHCR, IOM welcome Spain's expedited resettlement of Syrian refugees from Türkiye in earthquake aftermath
Vital aid reaches Syrian quake survivors who – again – have lost everything
Your search for « syrianrefugees » matched 80 results. Displaying page 2 of 9 pages.
-
UNHCR report shows health services for Syrian refugees increasingly overstretched
26 Apr 2013 ... ... UNHCR and its partners have already begun working to address this issue. The report is being posted online today at http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php. As of data received ...... -
UNHCR and partners warn in Syria report of growing poverty, refugee needs
5 Jul 2016 ... ... To read the report, go to: http://www.3rpsyriacrisis.org or http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php Media Contacts: In Geneva, Leo Dobbs on mobile +41 79 883 6347 In Amman, Ben ...... -
UNHCR: Total number of Syrian refugees exceeds four million for first time
9 Jul 2015 ... ... The Syrian refugee situation data portal will be updated with the latest figures at 5AM GMT 9 July 2015. http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php Media contacts: Geneva • ...... -
UNHCR report says Syrian influx strains host country health services
26 Apr 2013 ... ... May. UNHCR continues to roll out additional capacity as funding comes in. The report can be seen at http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php... -
Syria refugee numbers cross 1.5 million as funding gaps remain
17 May 2013 ... ... For more information, please check the Syria Refugee Response portal: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php For further information on this topic, please contact: In Beirut: ...... -
Syria Regional Response Plan - UNHCR funding update
27 Sep 2013 ... ... Click here to access all funding updates http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php# 52% 48% Funded Funding Gap FACT SHEET: BUDGETS AND DONATIONS $248,751,893 $68,675,596 28% 2 8% ...... -
Education Brief 7: Higher education considerations for refugees in countries affected by the Syria and Iraq crises.
5 Jan 2016 ... ... of refugee students coming from the MENA region. 1 Source: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php 2 See 2015 Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan in Response to the Syria ...... -
Refugee total hits 3 million as Syrians flee growing insecurity and worsening conditions
29 Aug 2014 ... ... Data and other information on the Syrian refugee crisis can be found at http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php, which is updated daily. Multimedia materials accompanying this ...... -
Global Responsibility Sharing Factsheet
23 Mar 2016 ... ... of each year. ** Population figures as of 13 March 2016, http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php 179,000 places pledged to date 2015 4.6 million 2018 10% (480,000) 2013 2.5 ......