The refugee catastrophe is now getting to a point where immediate attention is needed.
RIYADH: Syrian president Bashar alAssad has a lot to explain. In a civil war that has thrown the country into factionalism, over two million Syrians have fled the country to seek refuge in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Assad, nevertheless, remains insolent and determined despite the long-drawn out carnage.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the recent death toll in Syria is now over 160,000. Millions of Syrian families have trudged through dry, arid plains and treacherous terrains with nothing more than the resolve to live with their kin. The Zatari refugee camp in Jordan has sprawled to house nearly 200,000 Syrians. While the border town of Kilis has over 500,000 Syrian refugees, thousands have taken refuge in the 20 camps set up in Turkey.
The refugee catastrophe is now getting to a point where immediate attention is needed. The economy of both Syria and other neighbouring countries is being affected by the conflict. The refugees, some of whom are now confronted with no choice but to come back to Syria, are caught in a predicament. They are desperately in need of help. Something needs to be done and done speedily.
Shaukat Naeem Ghumman
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
