Ukraine in Arabic | Turkey suffers from incredible number of refugees
KYIV/Ukraine in Arabic/ Kurds from Syria have been fleeing into Turkey more than ever, to escape from attacks by the extremist militants calling themselves Islamic State. This triggered what the United Nations says is the biggest humanitarian alarm since war broke out in Syria three years ago.
They are taking refuge anywhere they can: in schools turned into shelters, unused buildings and parks.
UNHCR refugee agency representative in Turkey Carol Batchelor said: “I don’t think in the last three and a half years we have seen 100 thousand people crossing in two days. We are approaching in Turkey 1.6 million refugees and now over a hundred thousand influxes and quite frankly we don’t know when those numbers will end. We don’t know what the future holds.”
Tens of thousands of Syrians, mostly Kurds, are attempting to flee fighters from the Islamic State militant movement, pouring over the border into Turkey.
Many local Turks want to help, but still there are concerns.
One local Turkish man told: “It’s good to have these shelters. Because they will be in a terrible condition if left in the streets. It would affect us too. I have two kids to raise. I could lose my job because of the refugees. Their labor is cheap. Because of them we lose our jobs.”
In the small town of Suruc, and others nearby, locals are struggling to cope with the numbers arriving.
The Mayor of Urfa, Celalettin Güvenç, addressed a crowd: “We are trying to make things right with the support of the people, with the support of you. We are using all of our strength to help them. “
Getting food, water and shelter for those who have walked long distances across the border is a priority for officials.