Syria Refugee Crisis: Maps and Facts

CTV News

The number of Syrians fleeing their country since the start of the civil war began in 2011 has swelled to more than 2 million people this September, representing a jump of almost 1.8 million people in the past year, a recent report from the United Nations show.

Approximately 97 per cent those refugees are hosted by neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, putting pressure on those governments’ infrastructures, economies and societies, the report from the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees says.

In a joint statement issued last week, the foreign ministers from Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, along with the UNHCR’s Antonio Guterres, expressed an urgent need to expand international help for the region.

The ministers and the UNHCR expressed serious concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region and the devastating impact this is having on countries hosting large Syrian refugee populations, the report says.

Below is snapshot of the impact of Syrians fleeing their home country is having on surrounding countries.

Lebanon [Click on links for details and more maps:]

• Lebanon is hosting the largest number of registered Syrian refugees, with over 622,000 people who have fled to the Middle Eastern country.
• Combined with the number refugees who are waiting to be registered -- approximately 100,000 people -- the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon represents more than 18 per cent of the country’s total population
• According to the UNHCR, over 15,000 Syrian refugees were registered last week
• Refugees in Lebanon are spread out across 1,400 locations. “The impact has serious security implications and health, education, and water and sanitation systems have all exceeded their capacities,” the UNHCR says.
• Since August, Lebanon has received $457,175,896 from the UNCHR which covers only 38 per cent of their needs.

Jordan [Click on links for details and more maps:]

• With over 490,00 registered Syrian refugees, the majority of whom are between the ages of 18 and 59, Jordan’s population has increased by 11 per cent
• The country hosts the second largest refugee camp in the world, located on a piece of desolate Jordanian dessert. Since July, Zaatari has received approximately 120,000 Syrian refugees
• The influx of Syrian refugees in Jordan is placing “enormous pressure” on the country’s economy and infrastructural services, the UNHCR reports.
• According the UN agency, the cost of hosting the refugees in 2013 with regards to electricity, water, education, health and subsidized goods has swelled to more than $2 billion.
• Jordan has received $457,758,594 in refugee funding, covering only 47 per cent of the country’s needs

Turkey [Click on links for details and more maps:]

• Spread out across 21 camps, Syrian refugee population in Turkey has reached over 450,000, with more than 13,000 people awaiting to be registered.
• The registered refugee population of Turkey has increased approximately 27 per cent since the beginning of 2013, the UNHCR reports
• So far, the government of Turkey has responded to the growing refugee crisis with $2 billion in support.
• Since August, Turkey has received $95,798,789 in refugee funding. The country requires an additional $276,591,725.

Iraq [Click on links for details and more maps:]

• Already grappling with security issues and the internal displacement of approximately 1 million people prior to the start of the Syrian civil war, Iraq is hosting more than 158,000 registered Syrian refugees.
• Since mid-August, the UNHCR reported that more than 50,000 Syrians entered the country through the Kurdistan region
• Between Aug. 31st and Sept. 1st, 3,000 Syrian refugees crossed the Iraq border
• The country faces a funding shortfall of $237,979,012.
• To date, Iraq has received $72,879,961 in refugee funding

Egypt [Click on links for details and more maps:]

• In Egypt, there are more than 97,000 registered Syrian refugees, with more than 13,000 people awaiting registration. “Large numbers of refugees have expressed concern for their wellbeing, depleting food rations and saving,” the UNHCR reported in August.
• Egypt has received $14,866,998 in refugee funding since August, covering approximately 22 per cent of the total amount of money the country needs