Syrian refugees: how to organise and support international assistance?

Since the start of the conflict in Syria, 2.2 million Syrians, including 1.1 million children, have fled the country, while 6.8 million people in Syria need humanitarian aid and 4.25 million have been internally displaced.

In spite of the various appeals by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons and the Prime Minister of Turkey, and notwithstanding the aid provided by neighbouring countries and Council of Europe member States, the situation is steadily worsening and those affected by the conflict are continuing to suffer from lack of drinking water, food, clothing and decent housing.

Of particular concern is the extent to which women and children are suffering sexual and gender-based violence in some of the refugee camps. 

States must, inter alia, show generosity and solidarity with Syria’s neighbours so as to relieve the pressure on them, draw up a contingency plan for dealing with any further mass influx of Syrian refugees and take all necessary steps to provide vital resources.