UN expects number of Syrian refugees to double by end of 2012

GENEVA (AP) — The UN refugee agency says the number of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria could double to 185,000 by the end of the year.

Agency officials say the number of refugees who have fled from Syria already has doubled to 96,000 just since March, forcing them to redraw their plans for how best to help — and the amount of money they will need to provide it.

The agency’s regional coordinator for Syrian refugees, Panos Moumtzis, told reporters Thursday in Geneva that the growing numbers require that the international community “steps up its support” by providing $193 million, more than twice the $84.1 million the agency sought in March, for the Syrian refugees.

He praised Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey for “tremendous generosity” by providing refugee camps and other help.