Geneva - AFP. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced on Friday that the war in the Middle East constitutes a major humanitarian emergency, stressing the need to ensure safe passage for all fleeing civilians. UNHCR stated that the war in the Middle East, which began on Saturday when Israel and the United States struck Iran, and has since spread, may have caused the displacement of large numbers of people. Head of Emergencies and Regional Refugee Coordinator for UNHCR Ayaqui Ito told journalists in Geneva: "The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has declared the escalating crisis in the Middle East a major humanitarian emergency requiring an immediate response across the region." He added: "It has led"
