1. The needs are increasing faster than the humanitarian contributions.
After more than four and a half years of war, 18 million Syrians are in need of support; Around 13.5 million people inside Syria and around 4.6 million refugees in the region. The needs are growing much faster than the humanitarian assistance. As a result, each person in need receives less aid. Last year, the international community contributed the equivalent of $85 cents per person, per day. This is far from sufficient to cover people’s most basic needs.
2. Only 56% of the appeals for Syria and the neighbouring countries were funded last year.
The gap between the funding needed to provide people affected by the crisis in Syria with basic support, and the amount of money allocated, has never been larger. In the humanitarian appeals, the UN and other organisations stipulate the costs of meeting the most urgent need in Syria and in neighbouring countries. Last year, they appealed for $7.2 billion. However, donor countries only contributed 56% of the appeal. As a result, the World Food Program had to cut back on the food aid for refugees and many children were deprived of an education. This year, $7.7 billion is needed for the relief effort. To be able to cover this, all countries must at least double their contributions.
3. We can afford to do more
4.Most refugees are residing in Syria's neighbouring countries and they need our support
5. The h azardous journey towards Europe requires ever more lives
More than 3,700 people lost their lives fleeing across the Mediterranean in search of protection in Europe last year. We are especially witnessing a sharp increase in the number of people drowning, trying to cross the short stretch of sea between Turkey and Greece. Around 50% of those who are crossing the Mediterranean to Europe are from Syria. Many refugees in Syria's neighbouring countries no longer see any opportunities where they are and therefore consider fleeing to Europe, in spite of the dangers.
