Oxfam’s research shows that less than three percent of the Syrian refugee population have actually arrived in rich countries through resettlement programmes. By analysing resettlement policies and practices in eight key countries, this paper shows why resettling at least 10 percent of the refugee population from Syria is both necessary and possible.
Oxfam is calling for the states attending the Geneva conference to collectively commit to offer a safe haven through resettlement or other forms of humanitarian admission to at least 10 percent of the refugee population – the equivalent of 481,220 people – by the end of 2016.
The number of people in need as a result of the conflict in Syria continues to rise. Oxfam is calling for rich states to commit to fully funding this year’s Syria crisis response appeal and to resettle 10 percent of all registered Syrian refugees by the end of 2016.
The international community has failed so far to address the spiralling catastrophe in Syria. This briefing calls for urgent and immediate action by the international community to deal with this deepening crisis.
Total aid pledged at the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, is less than half the amount needed this year to help people in desperate humanitarian need.
Aid actors estimate that $8.7 billion is needed in 2015 to support 18 million people in Syria and neighbouring countries, the equivalent to a little more than one US dollar per person per day.
"The new restrictions on entry for Syrians into Lebanon are part of a worrying, wider trend reflecting quite simply less and less opportunities for Syrians to escape conflict inside Syria," said Camilla Jelbart Mosse, Oxfam's Syria Campaign Manager.
Gareth Price-Jones, Oxfam's Humanitarian Affairs Representative, said: “Governments meeting in Geneva today had the opportunity to transform the lives of some of Syria’s most vulnerable refugees – an opportunity they largely failed to take
Over 30 international organizations are calling on governments meeting in Geneva tomorrow to commit to offering sanctuary to at least 5 per cent of the most vulnerable refugees from Syria currently in neighboring countries - 180,000 people - by the end of 2015.