Middle East ‘faces staggering refugee crisis from Syria war’

An international aid agency today warned that the Middle East faces a “staggering” humanitarian crisis caused by the Syrian conflict.

Rape and sexual violence has become prevalent in the country and a lack of medical and psychological support is “alarming”.

The US-based International Rescue Committee said the “horrific” level of rape has become a major feature of the war that has killed 60,000 people since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011.

More than 600,000 Syrians have fled into neighbouring countries. The IRC said many refugees are citing rape — often committed in front of family members — as the main reason they left Syria.

The group described international aid as “drastically insufficient” for a “steadily worsening” crisis. The World Food Programme said it is helping 1.5 million Syrians, but continued fighting has meant delivering aid to some areas is impossible.

The warnings came as activists said air and artillery attacks by government forces on rebel-held suburbs in Damascus killed at least 45 people, including eight children.

The death toll was part of an intensifying offensive by the Assad regime to dislodge rebels from strategic areas around the capital.