On December 8, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called for an increase in worldwide support surrounding the refugee crisis during a meeting at Paris. President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France will work to supply more economic and humanitarian aid, but he has not provided further details. Four days later, UNHCR spokesperson Amin Awad urged nations to consider funding various NGOs at a briefing in the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the coming year. A total of 270 pa

It has been six years since the start of the Syrian refugee crisis, and options for permanent shelter for Syrians remain bleak. Europe - previously a desirable option due to favorable economic opportunities - has become less welcoming as a result of a perceived terrorist threat. Middle Eastern countries, however, are beginning to reach maximum capacity, and much of Syria continues to be uninhabitable. As thousands continue to flee the country, many find themselves without

This week has brought about good news, including the expansion of a 2015 UN agreement on the resettlement of refugees in the EU, and progress on initiatives that provide employment and health opportunities to Syrians. The UN plans to resettle 22,000 refugees seeking asylum within the EU by 2018. This change, combined with previous policies, will increase the total number of Syrians entering Europe to 40,000 annually. German chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her enthusia

One week ago, Andrej Mahecic, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, issued a statement at a Geneva peace talk which concerned the flow of refugees throughout Syria. He describes a “notable trend” in IDPs returning home; in fact, 440,000 have returned from January, 2017, to the end of July. Furthermore, the UN will continue “providing protection services, improving shelter conditions and assist in the rehabilitation of some essential infrastructur