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June 20, 2013

U.N. Issues New Appeal for Displaced Syrians; Global Refugees at 18-Year High 
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The United Nations marked World Refugee Day with new warnings over the
plight of the 1.6 million people who have fled the fighting in Syria.
Announcing a plea for $1.7 billion in aid, U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees António Guterres said the conflict in Syria marks one of the
worst humanitarian crises of the last two decades.

António Guterres, UNHCR high commissioner: "I have no doubt that the
Syrian crisis is not only one of the most dramatic humanitarian crises
that we have faced since the Cold War, but it is the most dangerous one.
And the risks of spillover and the risks of negative impact on the
countries of the region are enormous. ... Lebanon is facing an
existential threat and needs and deserves massive support from the
international community. It is absolutely essential that the wonderful
generosity we witness here in villages like these is met by the whole
world."

The United Nations says Syria's civil war has pushed the number of
refugees to an 18-year high of 45.2 million across the globe.

 

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