UNHCR Warns of Funding Shortfall for Iraqi and Syrian Refugees

(MENAFN- QNA) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday warned that a US$58.45 million funding shortfall, coupled with this year's sharp recent growth in internal displacement, could leave up to 1 million Syrians and Iraqis without proper help as winter approaches.

"The shortfall affects our winter preparedness programmes, although we have already invested US$154 million on winter aid for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and internally displaced, and means that UNHCR is having to make some very tough choices over who to prioritize," chief spokesperson Melissa Fleming said in Geneva.

"Factors we are considering include the elevation of refugee settlements, the composition of the family unit (e.g. number of children and female-headed households), family health concerns, new arrivals, available family resources, shelter conditions and other considerations. For those we're unable to prioritize, the conditions could nonetheless be very tough," she added.