UN / UNHCR SYRIAN REFUGEES

UNHCR Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syria briefed about the latest figures, situation and challenges that Syrian refugees are facing in the neighbouring countries. UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:42
• Production Date: 5 February 2014
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: HUMANITARIAN RELIEF; REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS
• Geographic Subject: SYRIA
• MAMS Id: U140205c

Description

STORY: UN / UNHCR SYRIAN REFUGEES
TRT: 2:42
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 05 FEBRUARY 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior UN building

05 FEBRUARY 2014, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, dais
3. Wide shot, presser
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Amin Awad, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau and Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syria:
“We have about 2.4 million that are register with UNHCR and they are in possession of cards. 2.4 million is a big number of people to register. It is not just taking down the name and issuing a card. There is a whole story behind every refugee as far as their vulnerability, their region, size of family, the profile of that family and location. The registration also, aside from providing us with the profile of the refugees, also the cards they receive are not only to access but also help the refugee with freedom of movement from one place to another.”
5. Med shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Amin Awad, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau and Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syria:
“On the Regional response plan, we asked for about 4.2 billion dollars for the surrounding countries for the refugees; and another 2.2 billion for the IDP’s inside Syria. That brings the number to 6.5 billion dollars for the year 2014.”
7. Med shot, reporter
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Amin Awad, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau and Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syria:
“Some of the challenges that women and children are facing, we have thousands of children that are separated from their parents. There are issues of education. You probably heard of “the no lost generation”. Now we are on the third year going to fourth and refugees have missed out on education. Women, they are also classified as a vulnerable sector of the population with no income. And there are so many issues that are surrounding the presence of women in camps and host communities. Their vulnerability is very clear. There are issues of threats of sexual-gender based violence. There are also trauma among children. Because of the stress and the lack of livelihood and the helplessness of many of the families. There is a lot of domestic violence and the list is long.”
9. Med shot, journalist
10. Zoom out, dais

Storyline

UNHCR Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syria briefed today (5 Feb) about the latest figures, situation and challenges that Syrian refugees are facing in neighbouring countries.

In a press conference, Amin Awad said “we have about 2.4 million that are register with UNHCR and they are in possession of cards. 2.4 million is a big number of people to register. It is not just taking down the name and issuing a card. There is a whole story behind every refugee as far as their vulnerability, their region, size of family, the profile of that family and location.”

He explained that the registration card, aside from providing the profile of the refugees, also facilitates them the access to basic services and allows freedom of movement.

Regarding the situation of the displaced population (IDPs) inside Syria, Awad noted that the number could reach the six million by the end of the year. He explained that if another three million that are impacted by the war are added, that would bring the total number to nine million people affected inside Syria.

On the Regional response plan, he said “we asked for about 4.2 billion dollars for the surrounding countries for the refugees; and another 2.2 billion for the IDP’s inside Syria. That brings the number to 6.5 billion dollars for the year 2014.”

Regarding the challenges, the UNHCR regional coordinator pointed out the situation of women and children.

He said “we have thousands of children that are separated from their parents. There are issues of education. You probably heard of “the no lost generation”. Now we are on the third year going to fourth and refugees have missed out on education. Women, they are also classified as a vulnerable sector of the population with no income. And there are so many issues that are surrounding the presence of women in camps and host communities.”

He said “their vulnerability is very clear. There are issues of threats of sexual-gender based violence”; adding in that “there is a lot of domestic violence and the list is long.”

Awad noted that 85 per cent of the refugees were not staying in camps but with host communities, putting an “incredible strain and impact” on these communities, given their meagre resources, employment and services, calling it an “overwhelming emergency.” UNHCR planned to boost its support for them, he added.

Beyond the IDPs there are another 3 million people inside Syria in desperate need for help and among the refugees there are 8,000 children who have been separated from their families, he said.

A UNHCR breakdown of refugees by country shows 900,000 in Lebanon, 600,000 in Turkey, 590,000 in Jordan, 215,000 in northern Iraq, 135,000 in Egypt, 20,000 in North Africa, and 30,000 in other countries.