The number of refugees in the world exceeds 50 mln - UNHCR

15:30, 20 June 2014

ALMATY. KAZINFORM - The number of refugees worldwide has exceeded 50 million, this has been announced today in Almaty at the event on the occasion of World Refugee Day, by the senior regional adviser on policy issues of the UNHCR Marat Zarifov.

"By the end of 2013 the number of people who were forced to flee from their countries exceeded 51 million, which is 6 million more than at the end of 2012. That is the maximum level for the current century. The number of refugees topped 50 million for the first time since World War II, with Syria hardest hit", said M.Zarifov. According to his words, the protracted Syria conflict was largely to blame for the increase. Since the war began in March 2011, a total of 2.5 million people have fled Syria, with 6.5 million more displaced inside the country.

UNHCR Representative noted that the Kazakh Government assists about 600 refugees, who mainly live in Almaty and Almaty region. Therefore, UNHCR organized a gala concert in the southern capital. The event was attended by children from refugee families.

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