Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson has allocated ISK 6 million (USD 50,000, EUR 37,750) to UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) due to the grave situation of refugees in Syria and neighboring countries, as stated in a press release from the ministry.
A makeshift camp for Syrian refugees newly arrived in Iraq. Photo: UNHCR.
Around two million Syrians, half of whom are children, are said to have fled their homes. Receiving countries are struggling to cope with the influx of refugees.
Iceland’s contribution for 2012-2013 also includes:
– ISK 22 million to UNICEF to support Syrian children on the border of Syria and Jordan.
– ISK 6.5 million to UNHCR to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Syria.
– ISK 6.5 million to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in Lebanon which provides Palestinian children from Syria with essential services.
– ISK 10 million to the Icelandic Red Cross for Syrian refugees in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.
Related:
03.09.2013 | Faster Process for Syrian Asylum Seekers in Iceland
03.09.2013 | Iceland Condemns Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
16.01.2013 | Iceland to Contribute to Syria Humanitarian Efforts
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