The Syrian refugee crisis: Syria's neighbouring countries plea for more EU support.

By Ana Maria Sarmento

During the month of December 2014, the European Parliament (EP) has been discussing the critical situation of the Syrian refugees accepted by its neighbouring countries. Both in Committee on Foreign Affairs hearings as in several conferences, the EP has debated some solutions the European Union (EU) could develop to support these refugees, as well as the countries who host them.

Fleeing from the war, the Syrian refugees are being hosted by neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in the early 2011, 6.5 million of people have been internally displaced in Syria and a total of 10.8 million people have been affected inside of the country, according to latest statistics of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). So far, 3.2 million of Syrians have been registered as refugees in Syria's neighbouring countries. These numbers are overwhelming and they demonstrate clearly the enormous crisis that Syria and the region are facing.

During several EP conferences some emphasis on the neighbouring countries were given. In particular on Lebanon where more than 1.140 million of Syrian registered refugees are currently living in, and Turkey where more than 1.090 refugees have been registered. However, others countries have been receiving Syrian refugees in their territory, as well. Jordan has hosted, so far, more than 618.000 Syrian refugees, Iraq approximately 225.000 and Egypt nearly 139.000. Yet, these figures do not convey the real scenario since they reveal only the number of Syrian registered refugees, which is a small number compared to the reality found at site. It is known that many more have neither applied for the refugees status, nor have moved into the refugee camps. An accurate estimation of the total number of Syrian refugees who crossed the border and live in foreign countries is difficult to estimate in such difficult times. Many Syrians cross the border with their families and try to settle in these hosting countries with little or no support of authorities or organizations. Although it seems that the support and relieve provided to Syrian refugees are not enough for this number of people in need, help comes in many forms. It mainly reaches those who have been accounted for in the hosting countries.
The European aid to tackle this refugee crisis has been crucial in these past years, although it still is insufficient due to the magnitude of the situation. In addition, the aid provided to the refugees camps is not the only way for the EU to help these vulnerable people. More can be done.
There are some challenges that the EU needs to tackle in order to help these refugees and to share the burden with the hosting countries. The linkage with development actions and financial institutions is fundamental to provide more sustainable support. The conflict is far from reaching the end and it is already expected that these refugees will stay for a longer time in their hosting countries. Moreover, with the latest situation in cities, such as Mosul or Kobani, a bigger number of refugees fleeing the region is anticipated. A funding shortage of international support at this stage can lead to a even more critical condition. Furthermore, consideration to the living conditions of the Syrian refugees in foreign refugee camps is essential to insure that Human Rights Law are being applied, and these people can live with dignity and safety. According to the latest statistics, a majority of 70% of Syrian refugees are women and children. These groups are the most vulnerable in a war conflict since they are at high risk of exploitation, particularly as victims of sexual and gender based violence. It is also relevant to identify these vulnerable groups to provide “protection space”. Moreover, in order to prevent a lost generation, child protection and education must be one of the major concerns in the refugee camps.
The burden sharing is another key principle to address this point. Not leaving the hosting countries to upbear alone the vast number of Syrian refugees is a responsibility of the international community, namely the EU. Giving more access to the EU territory by increasing the number of asylums seekers from nearly 42.000 to 100.000 is a solution. Showing solidarity to the hosting countries by opening this unprecedented action from the EU is, indeed, important, yet modest. This unbalanced number between the EU and the neighbouring countries will always remain mainly due to the geographic closure and the cultural similarities between Syria and its neighbours. Thus, the majority of Syrians intend to find protection in the neighbouring countries, rather than moving to the EU territory. Therefore, other solutions from the EU are needed to help the welcoming governments in supporting and assisting the flows of Syrians.
In Lebanon, one in four people is a Syrian refugee. The massive number of refugees may lead to further instability in this country. In the EP committee hearing, the Lebanese government took the opportunity to plea for even more help and support from the EU in this matter. Lebanon is a neighbour who has been suffering severely from the consequences of the Syrian civil war. And the country cannot afford this immense number of refugees, which may create some local tensions in this already fragile country. But, as opposed to other countries such as Jordan, where Syrians are mainly gathered in refugee camps, in Lebanon Syrian refugees are spread throughout the territory. Consequently, logistic support to Syrian refugees in Lebanon reveals to be a enormous burden on the local communities, who are already generously hosting these refugees. In this matter, one of the most important roles of the international community is to provide solutions such as resettling humanitarian actions and helping local communities. It is still worth mentioning that to reach Syrian refugees where there are no appointed locations makes the refugee management a much more difficult task for the international aid teams. 

Turkey is also struggling to find ways to ease the impact of the Syrian conflict on the country's economy and development since it has been one of the countries who accommodate more Syrian refugees. But Turkey has a completely different approach to deal with Syrian refugees. All the same, Turkey has also pleaded for more EU support. The Turkish policy of “open doors” towards Syrians who are fleeing from the conflict is deeply appreciated by the international community. Nevertheless, the EU is aware that Turkey cannot afford this massive motion of Syrian refugees by being underfunded in this crisis.
Stronger commitments are necessary by the international community to seriously tackle this crisis. The problem is not and should not be narrowed down to the region's borders. A much more broaden view is needed. Further humanitarian and development linkages as well as funding are required more than ever. In addition, an even more active approach, as well as a precise regional response plan from the EU is imperative.