Khaberni - Up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran since the start of the American-Israeli attack on it about two weeks ago, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees last Thursday.
The head of the emergency support team at the Commission and the emergency response coordinator for refugees in the Middle East, Ayaki Ito, said that "between 600,000 and one million Iranian families have been temporarily displaced within the country as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments."
This represents "up to 3.2 million people," he stated in a statement, adding that "this number is likely to rise as hostilities continue, in a worrying sign of escalating humanitarian needs."
The United States and Israel launched the first wave of attacks on Iran on February 28, which responded by striking targets in several Gulf states.
Ito said that most of the displaced, according to reports, "are fleeing from Tehran and other major cities to the north of the country and rural areas in search of safety."
He added that families of refugees residing in the country, most of them Afghans, were also affected, warning that these families are "particularly vulnerable, given their already fragile situation and limited support networks."
He said: "Families are leaving the affected areas amid escalating insecurity and limited access to essential services."
The Refugee Commission, which has been long-established in Iran, announced that it "is adapting its response to meet the increasing needs, working with national authorities and partners to assess emerging requirements and enhance preparedness as population movements increase."
Ito confirmed "The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians, continue the access to humanitarian aid, and ensure that borders remain open to those seeking safety, in line with international commitments."
