Dear John,
Recent developments in Syria will impact millions of people’s lives both inside Syria and within the region.
Since 27 November, approximately one million people, most of them women and children have experienced displacement due to the current events. More than one in five people are being displaced for at least the second time, in a country where 90 per cent of the population was living below poverty line and was reliant on humanitarian aid before this latest crisis. We are also receiving news of people crossing into Syria from neighbouring countries.
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria and is committed to stay and deliver. The volatile security situation in the past week has forced us to suspend some of our operations, but in areas where the security is stabilizing, we are resuming our activities to reach those most in need. Our goal is to provide emergency support including shelter, blankets, mattresses and winter clothing to help families face the bitter winter.
As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said: “Syria is at a crossroads between peace and war, freedom and lawlessness, prosperity and misery. For its refugees, the watershed is between repatriation and the continuation of exile. It all depends on a peaceful transition, respecting the lives and aspirations of all Syrians.’’
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