NUMBER OF SYRIAN REFUGEES TOPS 1.5 MILLION MARK, SAYS UN AGENCY BUT FALLS SHORT OF THE 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 17 May 2013 13:00:01 -0400
Subject: NUMBER OF SYRIAN REFUGEES TOPS 1.5 MILLION MARK, SAYS UN AGENCY
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

NUMBER OF SYRIAN REFUGEES TOPS 1.5 MILLION MARK, SAYS UN AGENCYNew
York, May 17 2013 1:00PMThe United Nations refugee agency
<"http://www.unhcr.org/519600a59.html">announced today that the number
of Syrian civilians who have fled their country to escape conflict has
passed the 1.5 million mark, while warning that the widening gap
between the needs and resources available is becoming a huge
challenge.

"The Syrian conflict continues to have a devastating impact on the
lives of those who are forced to flee," Dan McNorton, spokesperson for
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a
<"http://www.unhcr.org/519620e06.html">news conference in Geneva.

He added that the real number was probably much higher, owing to
"concerns that some Syrians have regarding registration."

While UNHCR continues to respond to the emergency needs of those in
need inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, Mr. McNorton stressed
that the widening gap between the needs and resources available is a
growing challenge.

The agency has registered close to 1 million refugees since the
beginning of the year – about 250,000 people each month. Early next
month, the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are due to
announce a revised funding appeal for the Syria crisis.

"Refugees tell us the increased fighting and changing of control of
towns and villages, in particular in conflict areas, results in more
and more civilians deciding to leave. Over the past four months we
have seen a rapid deterioration when compared to the previous 20
months of this conflict," said Mr. McNorton.

Inside Syria, UNHCR continued this week to follow up on the needs and
situation of several hundred families displaced in the village of
Zamarin, on the outskirts of Tartus, a city on the Mediterranean
coast.

They fled Banias district in Latakia governorate, where clashes
erupted in early May. Some families found shelter in a mosque and
local schools, but the majority have been hosted by families in
Zamarin, Mr. McNorton said.

These families received UNHCR emergency relief assistance last week,
including blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits. Many families have
reportedly returned to Banias, where children have to take their exams
soon.

UNHCR has been present in Tartus since early April and is permanently
present in five cities – the others are Damascus, Aleppo, Hassakeh and
Homs. Overall in Syria, UNHCR's relief assistance has reached 860,000
displaced Syrians since the beginning of the year.

In neighbouring Lebanon, the agency has stepped up its capacity to
register refugees. "Every day over 4,200 people approach our offices
for registration. In April, over 90,000 refugees were registered in
our centres. This is more than a ten-fold increase when compared to
the same month in 2012," said Mr. McNorton.

UNHCR has opened new registration centres and is using enhanced
registration mechanisms, ensuring that individual protection
interviews still take place, providing transportation assistance to
refugees and expanding the number of shifts.

Despite heavy fighting, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and partners
have provided life-saving supplies over the last week to some of the
hardest to reach areas in Syria, including Aleppo and Al Houla, as
well as to children and women who fled recent violence in Al Bayda and
Baniyas.

The agency and its partners reached Zamarin and surrounding areas, on
the outskirts of Tartus, which is hosting some 6,000 women and
children who fled the nearby villages of Al Bayda and Baniyas, where
mass killings have reportedly taken place this month, according to a
news release.

Supplies such as clothes and hygiene items were distributed to
families dispersed throughout the village or living in construction
sites or schools.

Meanwhile, UNICEF and partners brought six trucks to Aleppo carrying
hygiene kits, high energy biscuits, oral rehydration salts, two infant
incubators, water purification tablets and clothing.

The agency added that, despite the deteriorating security situation,
it has, working with its partners, managed to scale up the
humanitarian response. This year alone, close to a million children in
Syria have been vaccinated, some 7.4 million people have been provided
with access to safe water, and close to 100,000 children have been
enrolled in school clubs.May 17 2013 1:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://apps.facebook.com/faceblogged/?uid=1340855784
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/presidentus1