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STORY: GENEVA / UNHCR SYRIA
TRT: 2.17
SOURCE: CH UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 13 MARCH 2012, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, exterior Palais des Nations
2. Wide shot, press conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Panos Moumtzis, Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“Official data from surrounding countries and UNHCR’s own registration figures indicate that around 30,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries while significant numbers of Syrians are thought to be displaced inside Syria.”
4. Cutaway, journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Panos Moumtzis, Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“To date, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have all maintained a policy of open borders for Syrians fleeing the violence. The bulk of assistance to refugees is being offered by the host countries and hosting communities.”
6. Cutaway, nameplate
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Panos Moumtzis, Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“When they arrived in the neighbouring countries, they talked about violence inside the country and they fled in order to be in a safe environment. They were concerned about their protection and that is what has led such a large number of people, still on a daily basis hundreds of people crossing the borders into the neighbouring countries.”
8. Wide shot, podium
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Panos Moumtzis, Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“I also saw the report on the landmines along the borders, I can not give any confirmation on that, all I can say is that we would like obviously to see when refugees, when refugee families, when civilians flee a conflict to be able to flee, to go, to a safe location in safety and that path should really be clear of any dangers for their lives.”
10. Cutaway, journalists
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Panos Moumtzis, Regional Refugee Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
“In Turkey, where the camps are being managed by the Government, almost 23,000 persons have received protection in seven camps in Hatay province
since April 2011. Some of this population has returned to Syria and today the total camp population numbers over 13,000 refugees. The Government of Turkey plans to move the majority to Kilis province, where a purpose-built container city has been prepared.”
12. Med shot, Panos Moumtzis at podium
13. Med shot, journalists
The UN refugee agency announced on Tuesday the appointment of a veteran of emergency operations to coordinate its approach to the refugee crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries, which have received some 30,000 Syrian civilians.
At a press conference in Geneva today, UNHCR’s regional refugee coordinator for Syrian refugees Panos Moumtzis said that to date, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey had all kept their borders open for Syrians fleeing the violence.
He said hundreds of refugees continued to flee daily. On arrival they spoke of violence and their need for protection in a safe environment.
Moumtzis could not confirm reports about the placing of landmines along borders. He underlined the importance of refugee access to a clear danger-free path as they flee conflict zones to safe locations.
Among examples of assistance provided by host countries, the refugee official mentioned plans to build a container city in Turkey.
