Expert Voices: How can Europe better help Syria’s refugees?

Earlier in September 2014, the UNHCR announced Syria’s refugee population had reached a staggering three million, now the largest refugee population in the world. The bulk of refugees are resettled or in camps in neighbouring countries, mainly Lebanon and Jordan. Syrians taking the incredibly treacherous journey to Europe by foot or by boat, face complex and varying immigration policies.

As the refugee crisis worsens, many fear that Europe’s slow and uneven reaction will exacerbate the strain on states in the Middle East. As part of our ‘Expert Voices’ series, Multimedia Editor, Cheryl Brumley, asked four high-profile experts for their thoughts on what Europe should be doing to help ease the crisis: EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Crises, Kristalina Georgeiva, the European University Institute’s Philippe Fargues, UNHCR representative, Andrej Mahecic, and Iliana Savova from the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey clamps down on Syria border after Kurdish unrest http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-clamps-down-on-syria-border-after-kurdish-unrest/

ESO: Background information: NGO warns Germany against cuts to Syria aid http://www.europeansources.info/record/ngo-warns-germany-against-cuts-to-syria-aid/

European Commission: DG Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection: Where we work: Middle-East & North-Africa: Syria http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/where/middle-east-north-africa/syria

Wikipedia: Refugees of the Syrian Civil War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugees_of_the_Syrian_Civil_War

Website: Migration Policy Centre: Syrian Refugees http://syrianrefugees.eu/

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