UN says record numbers are fleeing Syria
The UN says more than 100,000 people fled their country in August – the highest monthly total since the uprising began.
Reported Deaths in Violence Across Syria April 2012; numbers from Syria Shuhada; figures from March18, 2011 – April 10, 2012 Diagram by Voice of America
Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for UNHCR, said on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, the rise in people seeking asylum in neighbouring countries brings the total of Syrian refugees registered or awaiting registration with her agency to over 230,000 as of September 2.
“When you do the math, it’s quite an astonishing number,” she said.
The rising numbers emerged as Peter Maurer, head at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), discussed Syria’s aid crisis with President Basher al-Assad.
In Aleppo, supplies are said to be dwindling, with access to parts of the city described as impossible.
Activists say about 5,000 people were killed in August, the highest toll in the 17-month old uprising and more than three times the monthly average.
Turkish authorities say they have taken in 80,000 refugees, while Jordan says up to 183,00 Syrians have entered their country since the conflict began in February 2011.
The UN children’s agency says 1,600 were killed last week alone, also the highest figure for the entire revolt.
“President Assad assured the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross that he welcomed the humanitarian operations carried out by the committee on the ground in Syria, as long as it remains impartial and independent,” state news agency SANA said.
Assad told Maurer on Tuesday that he supports the work of the aid group in Syria so long as it remains “impartial and independent”, state television reported.
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