UN predicts huge surge in refugee numbers

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon predicted Nov. 30 that Syrian refugee numbers will surge to more than 700,000 by January as the country’s conflict reaches “appalling heights of brutality.” U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi warned alongside Ban that Syria is now in danger of becoming a “failed state” as he appealed for new international efforts to reach a political settlement.

The U.N. estimates there are currently more than 460,000 refugees in countries around Syria and in North Africa with another 20,000 in Europe, Ban told a U.N. General Assembly meeting on conflict. “We expect the total number of refugees to reach 700,000 by early next year,” he said, adding that he would soon visit refugee camps inTurkey and Jordan.

Fonte: Daily News