[UNHCR] The Syrian Refugee Crisis: The World Should Be Concerned

Written by Buzzfeed

Syrian refugees are facing dire conditions as Lebanon unravelled, according to UNHCR. International aid is urgently needed.

Now in its 11th year, the Syrian refugee crisis remains the world’s largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time. About 6.8 million Syrians are refugees and asylum-seekers, and another 6.7 million people are displaced within Syria. This means 13.5 million Syrians in total are forcibly displaced, more than half of the country’s population. Nearly 11.1 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance. And about half of the people affected by the Syrian refugee crisis are children.

The refugee crisis in Syria has brought an overwhelming influx of refugees to its neighbouring country, Lebanon, which is itself on the brink of collapse. It has experienced a self-inflicted financial and economic meltdown, the pandemic, and the massive blast at the Port of Beirut. The Syrian refugees in Lebanon are facing a crisis within a crisis.

The delegate of Lebanon in UNHCR expressed his country’s predicament in an interview by the Buzzfeed News, “Given the current economic and political crisis in Lebanon, this delegate does not think any internal process regarding improving welfare of Syrian refugees can be made. Lebanon could potentially be one of the countries responsible for displacing refugees in the near future, as there are already many Lebanese fleeing the country (via migration or seeking asylum, not many of them are considered refugees at this point in time). ” 

The inability of the Lebanese government to mitigate the refugee pressure on its own led to a call for international aid, including humanitarian assistance and monetary aid. Several countries expressed their willingness to provide funding in the council, including France, Denmark and the U.S. 

Furthermore, concerns are raised upon the deterioration of the refugee crisis in Syria. When asked about the priority of the Syrian government to mitigate the refugee crisis. The delegate of Syria expressed the concern about suppressing the rebellions. “The priority is actually to rescue the refugees from the terrorists and rebellions, they are being physically abused in the refugee camps which were set up by the rebellions. The government of Syria needs to stabilise the current conditions and recover from the war before the officials of Syria can help the refugees.” 

However, conflicts in Syria see no signs of quelling. The UNHCR agreed upon the fact that external support and interference are needed, seeing the Syrian government unable to effectively contain its own conflicts.

Lastly, a disturbing issue is raised upon the misconduct of officials in refugee abuse and exploitation. As the delegate of Lebanon revealed, “Refugee problem is a highly complicated one, as it involves many States players, and could lead to different aspects of social repercussions. Nonetheless, this delegate feels that addressing the misconduct of UNHCR personnel is of utmost priority and urgency, as they are the public figures responsible for building trust with the refugees. The conduct of UNHCR staff and personnel cannot be compromised and misconducts should be given punishments at all costs. ”

As such, the Syrian refugee crisis really requires world concerns. The internal turmoil of the region has spilled over into its neighbors, with an increasing number of refugees seeking asylum in Europe.