With nearly refugees, the situation is reaching humanitarian crisis levels,” Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah said on World Refugee Day yesterday.
Shaikha Jawaher, who is also the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, called for immediate action to help the rising numbers of refugees fleeing war in neighbouring countries.
“The real crisis in a war continues long after the fighting stops, with families torn apart and people left stateless, homeless, and without hope,” she said.
“If the international community does not come together and take action on the world’s refugee situation now, the impact of war will effect generations to come. The UNHCR reports that for the first time since the Second World War, the number of refugees exceeds 51 million people, more than half vulnerable women and children. Some have been languishing in refugee camps for decades long after the crisis that drove them from their homes has been forgotten. Furthermore, there are now nearly 19 5 million registered refugees in the Middle East and this is a vast and worrying number of people who are displaced and in great need of basic care and support, giving rise to a humanitarian crisis.” ‘Hopelessness and despair’ World Refugee Day was established in 2001 by the UN General Assembly to renew commitments to end war and conflict, and to help people who have been forced to flee their homes. ”
The numbers of refugees are on the rise each day,” Shaikha Jawaher said, “and I am saddened to hear that this month has seen a new influx of over 23,000 refugees fleeing their homes to escape the conflict in Syria and arriving in Turkey, homeless and facing hopelessness and despair.” Through Shaikha Jawaher‘s initiative, the Big Heart Foundation is sponsoring a new project to help both Turkish and Syrian women fleeing sexual and gender-based violence. The project will run until the end of the year, with $500,000 (Dh1.83 million) being made available for specialist care for Syrian and Turkish women who have fled from, or are at risk of, sexual or gender-based violence.