Syrian crisis More than 5 million refugees since the conflict began
Since the start of the war in Syria, more than 5 million people have fled the country to seek refuge in Iraq, Jordan, Turkey or Lebanon. Over the last six years, more than half of the Syrian population has been displaced internally or fled to neighbouring countries. Handicap International has been providing assistance to the Syrian population in the region, for the past five years.
Syrian refugees in Zaatari camp, Jordan. | © Bas Bogaerts / Handicap International
Last week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that more than 5 million Syrians are now refugees in the Middle East. Since 2012, Handicap International has provided them with assistance by performing a very wide range of activities[i].
“As the crisis drags on, Syrians need us more than ever,” explains François Olive-Keravec, the head of the organisation’s mission in Jordan. Handicap International also works inside Syria, where there are more than 6.5 million displaced people and more than 13 million people currently need humanitarian assistance. Since the start of its emergency response, Handicap International has supplied aid to nearly one million people.
[i]Physical rehabilitation and psychological support sessions, orthopaedic-fitting with prostheses and orthoses, distribution of mobility aids and essential items, and risk education sessions on mines and other explosive remnants of war.
