Oxfam's reaction on UNHCR resettlement conference in Geneva

Gareth Price-Jones, Oxfam's Humanitarian Affairs Representative, said: “Governments meeting in Geneva today had the opportunity to transform the lives of some of Syria’s most vulnerable refugees – an opportunity they largely failed to take. While it is encouraging to see increased commitments to provide resettlement or humanitarian admission to refugees by a number of countries including Australia, many of those desperately in need of a lifeline will have to remain in the region, amid worsening conditions.

It is essential now that governments who have pledged to provide protection and support in third countries to vulnerable refugees move quickly to make good on their promises. Other governments must urgently follow the lead set by Germany and commit to playing their part. Oxfam has called for 5% of the refugee population to be resettled by the end of 2015.  
   
Civilians from Syria have found themselves caught in one of the worst refugee crises since World War II and have little hope of safely returning home as the conflict rages. Meanwhile Syria’s neighbors are buckling under the strain of the crisis. The international community must fulfil its duty to help the growing numbers of refugees through sustained humanitarian assistance in the region and resettlement in third countries for the most vulnerable, while pushing for a political solution to the conflict. It is startlingly clear that they are currently failing on all fronts.”