Syrians are set to become the world’s largest refugee population, a United Nations official has warned.
In his remarks on the years-long crisis to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres stated that « as the world continues to watch Syria disintegrate in bloodshed, » the country’s refugee population is on track to exceed 4 million by the end of this year.
Afghans are now the biggest refugee population worldwide, he said.
« It breaks my heart to see this nation that for decades welcomed refugees from other countries, ripped apart and forced into exile itself, » Guterres said.
The UN estimates that the conflict has currently left 6.5 million Syrians internally displaced and forced almost 2.5 million to seek shelter in other countries.
« Perhaps [these numbers] no longer shock, but they must, » added Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Kyung-wha Kang in her remarks to the General Assembly. « It is critical that we remember that behind each number is a family, a child whose life has been ended or devastated. »
Guterres emphasized the toll the crisis has taken, especially on children, stating, « An entire generation of young Syrians is being shaped by violence, displacement and a lack of education and opportunities. »
« The human tragedies this conflict has created are ghastly, and although refugees may have found shelter from the fighting by crossing a border, they have not escaped their trauma and psychological wounds, » he said.
« There is no military solution to this conflict, » Guterres stressed, and urged the international community to provide support to refugee-hosting countries, as well as to provide refuge and assistance for those fleeing the conflict.
This article first appeared on Common Dreams.