UNHCR: 9 Million People in 4 Countries Need Emergency Aid

Geneva -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Friday that approximately 9 million people in four war-torn and fragile countries—Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Ukraine—will require emergency assistance to cope with the harsh cold during the upcoming winter season. Dominique Haid, the UNHCR’s Director of External Relations, stated during a press briefing in Geneva that the agency launched an urgent appeal today to raise $50 million from individuals and private entities to provide the necessary financial support to refugees and displaced persons. She expressed hope that this amount, which is about $3 million more than what was raised last year, could be secured amid sharp increases in energy and food prices and a severe shortage of fuel needed for heating and cooking. In this regard, Haid warned of rising humanitarian needs alongside a sharp decline in financial contributions from governments, making reliance on individual and private donations more critical than ever. She noted that since the beginning of this year, the UNHCR has received less than $2.9 billion, equivalent to half of the $5.8 billion it secured in 2022, despite a sharp rise in the number of forcibly displaced persons, from 108 million in 2022 to 118 million by the end of last year. (End) A.M.K. / A.B.K.