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GENEVA, Switzerland, 21 April 2015 - CARE is shocked by the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean, where hundreds of people have died trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea. CARE warns that this is a horrific wake-up call that the world response to the multiple humanitarian crises and abject poverty in the Middle East and Northern Africa is scandalously insufficient.
In particular the war in Syria and the resulting regional refugee crises has grown far beyond the current available resources to address the enormous humanitarian needs. According to the UNHCR, the largest proportion of refugees arriving in Europe in 2015 has come from Syria. More than 11.5 million people have been displaced by the war in Syria, including 3.9 million registered refugees.
The migrant boat tragedies show that the war in Syria is no longer a regional crisis, but a global one that demands more global attention.
“It is unacceptable that the Mediterranean is becoming a mass grave of people desperately attempting to flee an unbearable situation,” says Wolfgang Jamann, Secretary General of CARE International.
“We are greatly concerned that these tragedies will continue as long as the multiple humanitarian in the Middle East and Northern Africa are not properly addressed. We need a surge in the amount of support provided to people affected by these crises. We also need a surge in action to address the injustice and inequality that feeds conflict and strife in these regions,” says Jamann.
Media contacts:
To arrange interviews with Wolfgang Jamann, contact Anders Nordstoga, CARE International Media and Communications Coordinator: anordstoga@careinternational.org, +47 90842458
For information on the Syria Crisis, contact Mary Kate MacIsaac, CARE International; Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator - Syria Crisis (in Amman): marykate.macisaac@jo.care.org, tel.: +962 65527921, mobile: + 962 (0) 79 711 74 14
About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and providing lifesaving assistance in emergencies. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to help lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty
