UNHCR and our partners are currently addressing the concerns of 4,800,087 refugees who are directly affected by the violence in Syria.
Unfortunately, the projections in 2013 indicate a continued outpouring of refugees to neighboring countries with an uncertain timetable for return.
REFUGEES
More than 2.9 million Syrians are hosted in the region, placing unprecedented strain on communities, infrastructure and services in host countries.
There has been a massive escalation of arrivals in 2013. Over one million Syrian refugees have registered as refugees since the beginning of 2013.
Women and children make up three-quarters of the refugee population.
The vast majority of refugees are dependent on aid, arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs.
REFUGEES
TURKEY
2,726,980
IRAQ
239,008
JORDAN
656,400
EGYPT
114,911
LEBANON
1,033,513
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
THE REFUGEES
The exodus of Syrian refugees accelerated dramatically in recent months, with over 1 million refugees arriving in the first five months of 2013 alone. More than half of registered refugees are children and three quarters of registered refugees are living with local host families and communities in both urban and rural areas. If current trends persist, it can be expected that over 3 million Syrians would have left their country by the end of 2013.
REFUGEE VOICES
  • Finding shelter
    close

    The vast majority of Syrian refugees in Jordan live outside camps. Ahmad, 45, looks out from the door of the store-front used as a home by himself and his family in Mafraq, Jordan.

  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
    close

    Hamsa, 11, wants to go to school to be a doctor, but his school in Homs, Syria was bombed out four months ago, shortly before he arrived in Jordan’s Za’atri refugee camp.

  • Ramadan - First day
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    On this first day of Ramadan, Ziad, 31, returns to his family’s caravan, after working a shift as a door guard in Za'atri refugee camp. “Last Ramadan I was in prison,” this father of 3, told me. His wife and children would call him. “Come home papa, come home,” but each time he would have to tell them, “I can’t, the door is locked.” He becomes emotional as he remembers those days, recalling that he was unable to buy gifts for his children. Last year he was in a prison and this year he's a refugee. “It’s like death” Ziad says. “My parents and all my brothers and sisters are still in #Syria.” As I speak with him, the TV in the background reports bombing in his home village. It’s a constant internal struggle not to pick everything up and return, but the safety of his young family, and another baby on the way, keeps him rooted. “Every day my son Tarek prays with me,” he says. Ziad is far from being home, but at least he is with his children this Ramadan.

  • Who is that peeping out of his tent?
    close

    It's 3 year old Shawqi, who is looking out from the inner room of his family's tent in Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan, on April 30, 2013. He lives with his parents and 5 of his siblings in this tent. Between them they share 6 mattresses and blankets. Shawqi recently returned to the safety of Jordan after a harrowing journey with his mother back into Syria.

  • World Refugee Day - Most Important Thing
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    This World Refugee Day we ask, what’s the most important thing you would take if you were forced to flee? Here you see 37 year old Waleed* (whose name we changed to protect his identity) posing for a portrait in the Médecins Sans Frontières clinic where he works in Domiz refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Waleed fled Syria with his wife and their newborn baby in early 2012. “Twenty days after my wife gave birth we left the country. It took us two hours to reach the border. We stayed in a village close to the Syrian/Iraqi border for two nights before finding a smuggler. We paid 1100 USD to cross the border. I left the country for the sake of my family. I don’t want to see my children grow up as orphans.” The most important thing that Waleed was able to bring with him is the photo of his wife that he holds here. Although they are still together, he says, "This is important because she gave me this photo back home before we were married, during the time when we were dating. It always brings me great memories and reminds me of my happiest time back home in Syria.” So what would you take?

  • One in a million
    close

    Meet Bushra. Fifteen days ago, she crossed the border to #Lebanon in the middle of the night. When she saw a sign that said she was in Lebanon, she told us "I felt relief; I realized that we had escaped death." Today, Bushra registered as the one millionth Syrian refugee at our center in Tripoli, Lebanon.

  • Hamad, two and half years old
    close

    Hamad, two and half years old, had just arrived from Syriain Domiz camp, in northern Iraq, with his family. For the past year, he and his family of four fled from town to town inside their war torn country. Here in Domiz, with the help of UNHCR, they are receiving mattresses, kitchen sets and blankets. Later on they will be given a tent, their first real home in over 12 months. UNHCR has a permanent presence in the camp responding to the needs of Syrian refugees who fled from violence and war. #UNHCR/ @eujinbyun

  • Four year old Rima
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    Four year old Rima lives with her family in Nizip camp, Turkey. She said she likes cats very much and also playing with baby dolls. "I'm very happy today...with my new toys," Rima said. Children are the ones who suffer the most from wars and conflicts.

  • A Syrian refugee in Greece: remembering better days, hoping to return one day
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    Leilah can't hold back the tears when she leafs through the family photo album. It's the only thing she managed to bring with her from Syria – a potent reminder of better days with her husband and six children in their home country. They led a happy and relatively comfortable life running a small village shop in northern Syria until the war broke out more than two years ago. Today, the 40-year-old Leilah lives in a dilapidated apartment in Athens with her children, two of whom were out looking for work when UNHCR visited. Her husband remained in Syria and she has no idea if he is safe or not.

  • Finding shelter
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • Ramadan - First day
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  • Who is that peeping out of his tent?
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • World Refugee Day - Most Important Thing
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • One in a million
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • Hamad, two and half years old
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • Four year old Rima
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • A Syrian refugee in Greece: remembering better days, hoping to return one day
    CLICK ON PHOTO TO READ MORE
  • A doctor from Caritas Lebanon examines a young Syrian refugee
    10 Jul 2013
    Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) is a specialized center of Caritas Lebanon, one of the most prominent non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Lebanon. Every year, CLMC helps more than 120,000 migrants and refugees by providing comprehensive assistance and legal counseling to these vulnerable human beings, in line with our moral values of solidarity, human dignity and self-reliance. Through our mission and vision, we aim to fight abuse, social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination.

    CLMC services:
    *Social support
    *Social counseling
    *Humanitarian, medical and legal assistance
    *Assistance for victims of trafficking
    *Capacity building and vocational trainings
    *Remedial courses
    *School for migrants children
    *Psychosocial and recreational activities and summer camps
    *Assistance to elderly
    *Peace building activities
    *Orientation sessions for migrants and refugees
    *Awareness sessions for Lebanese public on migrants rights
    *Assistance for detainees
    *Emergency programs
    Activities for Syrian refugees:
    *Distribution Food and NFIs,

    *Protection:
    - Shelter for the victims of gender-based violence and victims of trafficking,
    - Child protection

    - Legal assistance
    *Health,
    *Assistance in prisons
    *Home visits
    *Social counseling
    SOURCE  
    Caritas Lebanon
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=8
  • People in Need (PIN)
    07 Jul 2013
    People in Need (PIN) is a Czech-based non-governmental, non-profit organization providing humanitarian assistance and development aid worldwide. Over the 20 years of its existence, PIN has administered projects in over 50 countries around the world. PIN is an active member of Alliance 2015, Czech Forum for Development Cooperation, EU Monitoring Centre, Eurostep, Concord and VOICE.

    PIN mission to Iraq has been established in 2003 in southern Missan province, when the organisation focused on assistance to the displaced population, rehabilitation of schools and health centres or income generation courses. Between 2004 and 2009 the mission was coordinated from Jordan and PINs focus shifted to civil society development. With its return to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2010, PIN continues to work both in Southern and Northern parts of the country.
    SOURCE  
    Michal Przedlacki
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=109
  • International Medical Corps (IMC)
    07 Jul 2013
    International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

    Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide.

    International Medical Corps' work in the region began in 2003 and includes rapid emergency response, health systems strengthening and service provision, mental health and psychosocial assistance, maternal and child health, protection, women's empowerment, community development, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. A wide network of long-standing relationships with local partners and government ministries is a key feature of International Medical Corps' work in the region, which has rapidly expanded since the initial start of activities in Iraq to include Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen.

    International Medical Corps began its operations in Lebanon during the summer 2006 war and played an integral role in the provision of emergency relief to conflict-affected populations across Lebanon. IMC remained in Lebanon following the August ceasefire to assist in reconstruction efforts and still maintains a strong presence in the country implementing a diverse set of development initiatives that range from health and mental health activities to education, livelihoods development and water and sanitation.

    International Medical Corps has implemented several projects since its initiation in Lebanon:

    1. Relief and development projects post 2006 war

    2. Strengthening health capacity of health care professionals and centers

    3. Mental health and psychosocial assistance integrated in primary healthcare

    4. Early child development training to parents and caregivers

    5. Child friendly schools

    6. Psychosocial protection of vulnerable Iraqi refugees and host population through training and awareness

    7. Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions

    8. Conflict resolution projects

    9. Comprehensive Iraqi refugee assistance program providing primary health care, secondary/ tertiary health care, health awareness, capacity building and institutional support.

    10. Health care support for Syrian displaced in Lebanon including primary health care, secondary/ tertiary health care, health awareness, capacity building and institutional support.
    SOURCE  
    https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=17
  • World Health Organization (WHO Lebanon)
    07 Jul 2013
    WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. In times of crisis or disasters, WHO leads the health Cluster with the following functions: coordination, assessing and monitoring health needs, capacity building and filling health gaps.
    SOURCE  
    http://www.leb.emro.who.int
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=57
  • CARE International Jordan (CARE Jordan)
    07 Jul 2013
    CARE is one of the oldest and largest non-religious and non-political international organisations in Jordan, having worked in the country for more than 50 years. This small, arid country has very limited resources and is one of the most water scarce countries in the world.

    There is high unemployment, particularly among women and threats to stability by conflicts in neighbouring countries. More than one million Palestinian refugees live in Jordan, alongside many from Iraq.

    CARE’s focuses on fair opportunities for women in the job market, supporting the development of viable civil society organisations to manage natural resources and to assisting those affected by emergencies.

    Food and Livelihood Security:
    Jordan is the fourth most water scarce country in the world. 91 per cent of Jordan is situated in an arid or semi-arid zone where farming is very precarious.

    CARE is running projects promoting permaculture technologies to restore soil fertility to produce crops with less water and no chemical additives.
    These small projects have demonstrated clear benefits for rural families.Working through local community groups, farmers are selected to take part and show others the advantages for farming in this way.

    Civil Society Strengthening:
    All of CARE’s work in Jordan is in partnership with local organisations. This helps us to assist local people find solutions to their problems in ways that best suit them. CARE assists women to become involved in the work of local organisations so that their views are heard.

    Womens' Empowerment:
    Traditional limitations on women’s freedom to work and make decisions within their homes and communities mean they are disproportionately affected by poverty.

    CARE has established savings and loans schemes so that women can pool their resources to start businesses and buy essentials.
    With CARE's assistance, women’s groups have been set up to provide a forum for the women involved to take action for change in their communities.

    CARE is developing a women’s employment agency, to operate as an independent business providing fair opportunities for women in the labour market.
    SOURCE  
    Jenny Matthews
    READ MORE  
    http://www.careinternational.org.uk/where-we-work/jordan
  • Arab Women Organization of Jordan (AWO)
    07 Jul 2013
    The Arab Women Organization of Jordan (AWO) is a non-profit advocacy woman NGO established in 1970.

    AWO advocates for the recognition of women's rights as human rights and for the promotion of legal and political reforms that catalyze positive change.

    AWO builds partnerships to create solidarity among women and aggregate their efforts in the struggle to end discrimination and violence against women. Through Mosawa Network; a national network for empowering women at the community level, AWO initiates structures and systematic dialogue to promote women’s rights and the provision of services to the poor, vulnerable and the marginalized.

    The long standing and on-going AWO programmes and initiatives target the sectors of gender equality, human rights & democracy.

    Innovative approaches are applied to involve women in claiming their rights and to increase their participation in the development processes & the decision-making at the national and local levels.
    SOURCE  
    Royal Hashemite Court (photo of: Queen Rania)
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=159
  • Médecins du Monde
    01 Jun 2013
    Médecins du Monde is an international humanitarian organization providing medical care to vulnerable populations affected by war, natural disasters, disease, famine, poverty or exclusion. For 30 years, Médecins du Monde has been:

    - Treating the most vulnerable populations on all continents

    - Bearing witness to obstacles encountered to health care access

    - Obtaining sustainable improvements to health policies and medical practices so as to attain equal access to health care for all

    Photo source: http://www.medecinsdumonde.org/
    Agnes Varraine Leca
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=64
    READ MORE  
    http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org/#
  • Terre Des Hommes
    01 Jun 2013
    Terre des hommes is an international charitable humanitarian federation which concentrates on children's rights.
    In Lebanon, TdH's response to the influx of Syrian Refugees is focused on Education through the provision of remedial classes and recreational activities in Bekaa. Besides, TdH is also implementing Protection activities through Home visits in Aarsal.

    Photo source: http://www.tdh.ch/en/news/jordan-child-protection-and-psychosocial-support-for-displaced-syrian
    SOURCE  
    TDH
    READ MORE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/partner.php?OrgId=45
  • Action Against Hunger
    31 May 2013
    Action Against Hunger specializes in responding to emergency situations of war, conflict, and natural disaster. Their program areas include nutrition and health, water and sanitation, and food security.

    They currently implement in Northern Lebanon water and sanitation activities and Food Security emergency interventions assessments in response to the influx of Syrian displaced .

    ACF teams mobilize to distribute emergency relief supplies to Lebanese families.

    Photo courtesy: ACF-Lebanon
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=2
    READ MORE  
    http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/blog/syrian-refugees-crisis-escalates-our-response-intensifies
  • Danish Refugee Council
    31 May 2013
    The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, humanitarian organization founded in 1956. We work on the basis of humanitarian principles to protect the rights of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and promote durable solutions by which the situation of the displaced can be permanently and satisfactorily resolved - enabling them to live normal lives.

    Photo source: https://drc.dk/relief-work/where-we-work/middle-east/
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=11
    READ MORE  
    https://drc.dk/relief-work/where-we-work/middle-east/
  • World Food Programme
    31 May 2013
    WFP in the Region: As the protracted conflict in Syria intensifies, citizens continue to flee to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Syrians are arriving in these countries with few assets, limited livelihood opportunities and little cash; families are becoming increasingly dependent on humanitarian assistance. Joint needs assessments of displaced Syrians in these neighboring countries showed that food is a top priority.

    To respond to these urgent food needs, WFP launched a Regional Refugee Emergency Operation that provides food assistance as part of a broader framework of support to refugees under the leadership of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    WFP supports strong partnerships with Governments, United Nations organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), and is aligned with the United Nations Syria Regional Response Plan. WFP’s Regional Emergency Operation to cover the food needs of refugees who have fled to neighboring countries was launched in July; the estimated cost of the operation is currently US$62 million.

    For more information on WFP's Syrian refugee response, please see: https://www.wfp.org/stories/wfp-responds-syrian-refugee-crisis.

    Photo source: http://www.wfp.org/
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=56
    READ MORE  
    http://www.wfp.org/
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC Lebanon)
    31 May 2013
    The ICRC has been present in Iraq since the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war
    in 1980. Protection activities focus on people detained by Iraqi
    authorities, including Kurdistan regional authorities. ICRC delegates
    visit tens of thousands of detainees throughout the country, talk to them
    in private, and provide the relevant authorities with confidential
    feedback on the detainees’ treatment and living conditions.

    The visits also enable detainees to keep in touch with their loved ones,
    through Red Cross Messages, distributed in cooperation with the Iraqi Red
    Crescent Society to families in Iraq and abroad. The ICRC, in close
    cooperation with the respective governments, is also following the fate of
    thousands of missing persons as a result of the several conflicts in the
    region, and provides support and expertise in forensic medicine as well as
    in conducting joint excavation missions.

    Assistance activities, which focus on remote and neglected areas prone to
    violence, involve helping IDPs and residents restore their livelihood,
    with a focus on households headed by women, supporting primary health care
    centres and physical rehabilitation centres through the provision of
    material and training of medical personal and repairing and upgrading
    water, sanitation, health and detention infrastructure.

    The ICRC also continues to promote IHL among weapon bearers and to support
    the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in building up its capacities in the field
    of First Aid and Disaster Management.

    In a nutshell, in 2012 the ICRC:
    - further extended its operational out-reach into remote areas prone to
    violence in the centre of the country and the disputed territories;
    - conducted 231 visits to 109 places of detention holding approximately
    38'161 detainees under Iraqi central or Kurdish authorities;
    - contributed to progress made in clarifying the fate of people missing as
    a result of the 1990-91 Gulf War and the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War,
    facilitating seven joint operations to exhume and transfer human remains;
    - assisted 11'857 women heading household, amputees and farmer in rural
    areas prone to violence (with 57'513 dependents) with livelihood support
    projects, cash assistance and income-generating projects;
    - improved access to water, physical rehabilitation and primary health
    care for 1'844'522 residents, IDPs and returnees through the
    rehabilitation of water and health infrastructure, material support,
    training and coaching;
    - assisted 36'264 residents, refugees, IDPs and returnees with emergency
    assistance (food, non-food and water).
    - continued to provide, along with the International Federation,
    institutional support to the Iraqi Red Crescent.

    Photo source: http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2013/05-17-lebanon-syria-refugees.htm
    Shebaa region, Lebanon.
    Lebanese Red Cross personnel move a wounded Syrian refugee into an ambulance.
    © Reuters / K. Daher
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=61
    READ MORE  
    http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2013/05-17-lebanon-syria-refugees.htm
  • Mercy Corps Lebanon (MC Lebanon)
    31 May 2013
    Mercy Corps alleviates suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people
    build secure, productive and just communities. In Lebanon, Mercy Corps is
    focused on new efforts to help Syrian refugee children and Palestinian
    children from Syria traumatized by the ongoing conflict through several
    youth programs, including Comfort for Kids, Moving Forward and arts
    programs.

    Photo source: http://www.mercycorps.org/lebanon
    By Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=31
    READ MORE  
    http://www.mercycorps.org/lebanon
  • Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center
    31 May 2013
    Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC) is a specialized center of Caritas Lebanon, one of the most prominent non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Lebanon. Every year, CLMC helps more than 120,000 migrants and refugees by providing comprehensive assistance and legal counseling to these vulnerable human beings, in line with our moral values of solidarity, human dignity and self-reliance. Through our mission and vision, we aim to fight abuse, social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination.

    CLMC services:

    • Social support
    • Social counseling
    • Humanitarian, medical and legal assistance
    • Assistance for victims of trafficking
    • Capacity building and vocational training
    • Remedial courses
    • School for migrants children
    • Psycho-social and recreational activities and summer camps
    • Assistance to elderly
    • Peace building activities
    • Orientation sessions for migrants and refugees
    • Awareness sessions for Lebanese public on migrants rights
    • Assistance for detainees
    • Emergency programs


    Activities for Syrian refugees:

    • Distribution Food and NFIs,
    • Protection:
    - shelter for the victims of gender-based violence and victims of trafficking,
    - Child protection
    - legal assistance
    • Health
    • Assistance in prisons
    • Home visits
    • Social counseling

    Photo source: http://english.caritasmigrant.org.lb/our-action/regular-activities/
    SOURCE  
    http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees_uat/partner.php?OrgId=8
    READ MORE  
    http://english.caritasmigrant.org.lb/our-action/regular-activities/




FUNDING
By the end of the year it is estimated that half of the population of Syria will be in need of aid. This includes an anticipated 3.45 million Syrian refugees and 6.8 million Syrians inside the country, many of whom will be displaced from their homes.

- The latest update of the Regional Response Plan for Syrian refugees totals US$2.9 billion.

- The governments of Lebanon and Jordan are also appealing for funds, asking for US$449 million and US$380 million respectively.

- The humanitarian appeal for inside Syria is for US$1.4 billion...

...This all adds up to US$5 billion, the largest appeal in history.

Total Appeal $4,539,342,336
Received to Date $1,822,158,755
Gap $2,717,183,581
Coverage 40%
Last Updated 15 Jul 2016