Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - The situation of refugees in Lebanon is serious with over 700,000 displaced persons fleeing for safety in other parts of the country or in Syria since 12 July when the violence started. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR and Caritas are mobilising despite difficulties of a state of war. Caritas Lebanon has been asked by the government to care for 50,000 families mostly sheltering in public structures such as schools in the cities of Tyre and Beirut. Water, food and medicine are needed urgently says Caritas.
UNHCR is sending an 11 member emergency team of operators to assess the situation of the thousands of displaced persons. The team will go first to Damascus and then to Beirut to reinforce a small group of operators already there.
Local UNHCR personnel sent to assess needs in the Shuf mountain valley - where many have sought refuge - say 40,000 of the 60,000 displaced persons are staying with relations or friends. The other 20,000 are sheltering in public places.
With tents, plastic sheeting and blankets in deposits in Syria and Jordan UNHCR is able to meet immediate needs. It will work in close collaboration with the Lebanese authorities and international partner agencies such as the Red Cross providing assistance for about 10,000 displaced families first of all those sheltering in public structures.
UNHCR request for funds will be included in a join UN appeal in the coming days.
UNHCR personnel monitoring the situation on the Syria / Lebanon border say that those who are leaving are mainly Syrian citizens working temporarily in Lebanon. Some richer Lebanese are leaving but they do not need assistance, while a few citizens of third countries without identification papers seeking to leave were stopped at the border. UNHCR raised the question with the Syrian immigration authorities.
UNHCR is monitoring the situation of about 20,000 Sudanese and Iraqi refugees and asylum seekers at present in Lebanon. (Agenzia Fides 20/7/2006 righe 27 parole 276)
