Asian political parties urge more efforts to help refugees

The representatives of Asian political parties on Saturday called on the international community to exert more efforts to help refugees.

"No country in the world can exclude itself from the effects of migration," said Chung Eui-yong, the secretary general of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, adding "global problems require global solutions."

Over 100 delegates from 39 political parties in Asia are gathering in Istanbul for a two-day special conference on immigration and refugees, aiming to increase global cooperation in coping with a growing refugee crisis.

The meeting laid emphasis on the plight of Syrians fleeing a raging war at home, noting the number of the displaced has hit 12 million during the last five years, with five million of them being sheltered abroad.

Chung drew attention to the problems facing the migrants, including starvation, health complications, physical and mental violence, and different forms of exploitation.

He urged the world countries to do whatever is necessary for those in immediate need like pregnant women, children, the old and the disabled.

He praised Turkey for housing 2.7 million Syrians despite limited resources and economic challenges facing the country.

In his speech, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim criticized the West and the United Nations for what he called their "inactivity" in solving the Syrian refugee problem.

"Unfortunately, the international community and particularly the UN, despite their ability, stand indifferent to this atrocity," Yildirim said, referring to the unending conflict in Syria.

He reiterated Turkey's resolve to continue "to make sacrifices for the refugees." Endit