Syria and Jordan need more help to cope with refugee crisis, U.N. says

United Nations officials lashed out at the international community today for not doing more to help Syria and Jordan shoulder the burden of the Iraqi refugee crisis, Reuters reported.

“It is unconscionable that generous host countries be left on their own to deal with such a huge crisis,” Ron Redmond, spokesman for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, said at a media briefing. “The two countries caring for the biggest proportion of Iraqi refugees – Syria and Jordan – have still received next to nothing in bilateral help from the world community.”

Donor nations have contributed $70 million so far to assist the host countries, but hundreds of millions of dollars more are needed, UNHCR says. Syria alone has asked for $256 million in assistance. The country is hosting some 1.4 million refugees, and tens of thousands more are coming every month, according to the U.N.

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