UN: Don't allow Israel-Iran conflict to spark new refugee crisis
Grandi said, "The time to de-escalate is right now. Once people are forced to flee, there's no quick way back and all too often, the consequences last for generations."
The United Nations on Saturday warned of a looming humanitarian threat posed by the current military conflict between Israel and Iran, which has now passed the one-week mark.
"This region has already endured more than its share of war, loss and displacement. We cannot allow another refugee crisis to take root," said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees.
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Grandi said, "The time to de-escalate is right now. Once people are forced to flee, there's no quick way back and all too often, the consequences last for generations."
The UN refugee agency UNHCR, said intense bombardments had already begun to spark mass movements of individuals fleeing to shelter in both Israel and Iran, with some seeking access to neighbouring countries.
Western nations, meanwhile, have been feverishly extracting citizens from both countries and issuing travel warnings to keep people out of harm's way.
The UNHCR says that if the conflict continues — and there are currently no signs of it calming anytime soon — Iran's citizens and its roughly 3.5 million person refugee population (mainly Afghans) will face renewed uncertainty and hardship.
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