Knights of Malta open new camp for Syrian refugees; existing facilities overburdened

October 09, 2013

Responding to the continued flood of families fleeing from Syria, the Knights of Malta have opened a new refugee camp in southeast Turkey, the AsiaNews service reports.

The Knights of Malta found that existing facilities for refugees were overtaxed by the enormous influx of Syrians. Many need medical attention, after living in the open, with inadequate food and shelter, after being driven from their homes. The new camp, which includes a medical clinic, received 4,000 people on its opening day.

The UN now estimates that 2 million people have fled their homes in Syria to escape the continued violence there. Roughly half are children. The shortage of facilities for refugees threatens a humanitarian disaster as winter approaches.

 

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Further information:

• Knights of Malta open a new Syrian refugee camp in Kilis (AsiaNews)