10 years of conflict and displacement in Syira
This month marks a decade of conflict in Syria that has sparked one of the largest humanitarian situations in recent years. OCHA has compiled statistics that provide only a snapshot of what 10-years of conflict has meant for Syrians. Over the last decade, 13 million Syrians, more than 60% of the country, have been displaced from their homes. Half of this population are internally displaced, lacking basic services and often living in areas that are hard to reach by humanitarian organizations. In addition, over 5 million Syrians fled to neighbouring countries where they remain today as refugees. The majority of Syrian refugees are being hosted by their neighboring countries, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
Among Syrian IDPs and refugees, there are staggering rates of chronic malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. Over 2.5 million children are out of school in Syria. Schools within Syria have been damaged or destroyed. The psychological impact of the war and displacement will have prolonged impacts on generations. For Syrians, there is no end in sight as the number of people in need of humanitarian aid is expected to rise. It is more important now than ever that we expand opportunities for Syrians to find complementary pathways to a safe future.
“Beyond the region, a groundswell of solidarity with Syrian refugees has driven many governments to shift policies and offer genuine gestures of help to refugees and refugee-hosting countries through resettlement, family reunifications, humanitarian visas, scholarships and other safe and legal pathways for Syrian refugees.”
Statement by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
We join Fillippo Grandi, in celebrating the solidarity with Syrians that has been demonstrated through the expansion of these complementary pathways, and urge for the addition of many more.
To better understand how a decade-long conflict has impacted Syrians, Refugee Pathways would like to highlight a few stories:
Medecins Sans Frontieres provides an in-depth timeline of a decade of war in Syria and the 10 years of increasing humanitarian needs.
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The Norwegian Refugee Council shares a new report on the ‘Darkest Decade’ and the failings of the world to provide Syrians adequate protection.
The International Rescue Committee released an article sharing the stories of Syrian 10 year-olds who have been born into war. Read this article to “hear from these 10-year-olds on their favorite things, their experiences of displacement and the hopes they hold onto — even as they are forced to grow up knowing nothing but war.”
OCHA has compiled statistics that provide only a snapshot of what 10-years of conflict has meant for Syrians, demonstrating a staggering need for continued humanitarian aid.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has released a statement reflecting on tens years of humanitarian response in Syria, calling for our solidarity with Syrians to strengthen as we enter a new decade of response.
Written by Emily Ervin for Refugee Pathways
