Syrian refugees reach 2 million mark

The number of Syrian refugees had surpassed 2 million, half of whom are children, the UN refugee agency reported on the 3 September 2013.

According to EUObserver, under EU law, temporary protection in case of a mass influx can be given to refugees from a warzone - a decision that still had to be taken by EU ministers. If adopted, it would be the first time the EU applied this mechanism, giving Syrians a residence permit, work authorisation, access to accommodation and medical treatment.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Georgieva urges UN to adopt ‘humanitarian declaration’ on Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/georgieva-urges-un-to-adopt-humanitarian-declaration-on-syria/

ESO: Background information: French PM says no vote in parliament on Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-pm-says-no-vote-in-parliament-on-syria/

BBC News, 03.09.13: UN refugee agency says more than 2m have fled Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23937972

UNHCR: Press Release, 03.09.13: Number of Syrian refugees tops 2 million mark with more on the way http://www.unhcr.org/522495669.html

Trud / 24 Chasa, 17.09.13: Sofia solicits European aid (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4151551-sofia-solicits-european-aid

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/761: Statement by Kristalina Georgieva on latest figure of refugees fleeing from the Syrian crisis http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-761_en.htm

Libération, 02.10.13: Every other European country is better than France (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4192251-every-other-european-country-better-france

---