As the rapidly escalating refugee crisis among those fleeing conflict in Iraq and Syria continues, the United Nations refugee agency is warning that a $58.5 million budget shortfall could leave up to one million people without proper help as winter approaches.
“The shortfall affects our winter preparedness programs, although we have already invested $154 million on winter aid for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and internally displaced, and means that UNHCR is having to make some very tough choices over who to prioritize,” said Melissa Fleming, chief spokesperson for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
At estimated 13.6 million people have already been displaced from Iraq and Syria – where a U.S.-led military coalition has struck out against the Islamic militant group ISIS.
Critics of that military intervention have specifically accused the United States of failing to meet its obligation to help the refugee problem, by driving the conditions resulting in the ongoing displacement, and then neglecting impacted communities when they are in need.
Amin Awad, UNHCR’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, told reporters in Geneva that the international community has hardened to the plight of Iraqi and Syrian people, many of whom are suffering in dire human conditions lacking food, water and shelter.
“Now when we talk about a million people displaced over two months, or 500,000 overnight, the world is just not responding,” Awad said.
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