The Historic Scale of Syria’s Refugee Crisis

The Syrian refugee crisis has exploded from about 270,000 people a year ago to today’s tally of more than two million who have fled the country. The pace of the diaspora has been characterized by the United Nations as the worst since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. In addition, an estimated 4.25 million Syrians have been displaced within their country, bringing the total number forced into flight to more than six million.

Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt together have received more than two million refugees. In June, the United Nations asked other countries to receive 10,000 refugees by the end of this year. So far, about 1,200 Syrians have been referred to those countries for relocation. Thousands more have reached as far as Europe, smuggled across the Mediterranean Sea.

For Syrians desperate to find safety, escape persecution or avoid military service, a passport towards a better future may cost as much as $2,000 in the black market – the alternative is hopping through barbed wire across the border.

The Historic Scale of Syria’s Refugee Crisis

Lebanon struggles with desperate Syrian refugees

For Syrians, Passports are Solid Gold

Debt levels spiralling out of control as refugees from Syria slip further into poverty, says report