A long, harsh winter

As long as the Syrian crisis persists, refugees from that country will continue to suffer.

A Syrian refugee girl sits in a classroom in Lebanon. (Hussein Malla / AP)

As the storm Huda sweeps in and buries refugee camps under snow, we should spare a thought for the millions of Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and elsewhere. They have no hope of returning to the warmth of their homes, at least in the foreseeable future.

The UAE’s campaign to send them much needed aid sets a good example to the world as it struggles to put together a package of measures to look after millions of Syrian refugees. The campaign deserves widespread support especially with weather forecasters predicting temperatures as low as -4°C across the Levant. We have sent blankets, winter clothes, heaters, food and medicine.

But there is room to do more, for the sad truth is that the refugee crisis will persist and even get worse so long as civil war rages in Syria. The world has to find a way to stop the fighting. Otherwise, there will be many more harsh winters and many more refugees in distress.