UNHCR declares ‘major humanitarian crisis’ in Mideast

• Refugee agency says its facing shortage of funds
• US, Israeli attacks on Iran choke aid corridors, obstructing global relief efforts

GENEVA / ISLAMABAD: The United Nations refugee agency on Friday declared the crisis in the Middle East “a major humanitarian emergency”, and insisted all fleeing civilians should be granted safe passage.

UNHCR said the Middle East crisis — which began on Saturday when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran and has spread since ...