Syrians continue to flee, in silence
(B2) The Syrian crisis is growing from a human point of view. According to the latest figures from the European Crisis Response Center (ERC), there are almost 2,2 million refugees outside the borders (2.045.642 registered people, 2.180.952 in total). And 4,25 million internally displaced persons (idp).
Lebanon (approximately 800.000 or almost 20% of the population!) and Jordan (approximately 550.000 or almost 10% of the population!) continue to host the majority of refugees as well as Turkey (approximately 500.000). But there are also many in Iraq (almost 170.000). Egypt hosts 125.000; the Maghreb hosts 15.000. And the flow does not seem ready to dry up...
Comment:
1° Some politicians who believe that it is up to neighboring countries to take in refugees first are right, in theory, but often make a mistake in practice. One of the main arguments often used is to compare the situation with the former Yugoslavia and the effort made by certain European countries (Germany, Austria, Hungary, etc.). This is to forget the relative aspect of this argument. If we really want to use it, we must take into account a reality: the population of these countries. The effort provided by Lebanon and Jordan would thus be equivalent to welcoming between approximately 15 million people in Germany and 6 million in France. It is clear that the regional context is totally different!
2° The political solution as a remedy for this crisis is an illusion. The Europeans must prepare to welcome every day from November boats loaded with Syrians from Egypt, via Libya, or from Turkey, via the Black Sea. In the first case, Malta and Italy will be affected first; in the second, it will be Romania, Bulgaria, even Cyprus.
3° The efforts of the international community cannot focus solely on this political dialogue for the future. It is an immediate ceasefire, at least in certain regions, which must be encouraged. It's just as difficult. But without this "break" in the fighting, political dialogue seems illusory. And that would (perhaps) contain the growing refugee crisis.
