UN seeks home for refugees

More than 30 humanitarian organizations launched an appeal on Monday for countries to take in about 180,000 refugees from the Syrian conflict.

That figure would represent 5 percent of the projected refugee population by the end of 2015, according to the office of the UN high commissioner for refugees.

The issue will be discussed at a conference in Geneva on Tuesday.

After three years of fighting in Syria, more than 3.2 million refugees are registered in neighboring countries. With little sign of the conflict coming to an end, the office said the number could rise to nearly 3.6 million by the end of 2015.

If countries would take in 180,000 refugees, with an accompanying aid package and economic support provided to the nations that open their doors, "it would also encourage those countries to keep their borders open to ensure those in Syria can flee the conflict, and could contribute to their stability," the office said.

AFP

(China Daily 12/09/2014 page11)