Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Lebanon as Scores of People Seek Refuge in Syria

As the conflict between Lebanon and Israel escalates targeting Hezbollah, the Lebanese are running from their mother land in order to save their lives by seeking safety and shelter in the neighbouring nation. The UN High Commissioner for refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi went to Syria on an urgent basis on Tuesday to support the 250,000 people who have fled the airstrikes in Lebanon and crossed into Syria.

Crossing Jdeidet Yabous, Mr Grandi met with Lebanese refugees who just crossed the border. He also mentioned that the local authorities, UNHCR and the UN are making sure to give a humane and efficient welcome to the refugees. 

Journey of Refugees

The Lebanese who are crossing the border described how they escaped intense Israeli bombardments and airstrikes that terrified their children. 

“Families I spoke with had run for their lives and have no idea what tomorrow may bring after an exhausting, dangerous journey to the border. They arrive with few means and in need of urgent relief,” said Mr Grandi who visited the border.

The main road which is between the Lebanon and Syria posts was destroyed completely by an airstrike. So the refugees have no other options than taking the journey on foot by carrying their children in hand and with their other necessary belongings. 

UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency, Syrian Arab Red Crescent along with the other UN agencies and NGOs are at the border providing water, food items and blankets. A separate team is also set up for supporting the new arrivals with legal assistance, documentation and advising them on administrative and other processes.

Need of more Aid

“The new influx of people comes at a time when millions of Syrians are living in hardship and themselves need humanitarian assistance. We must scale up support for the new arrivals and the vulnerable host communities receiving them,” said Mr Grandi.

The arrival of refugees in Syria adds more complexity to an already strained humanitarian situation. The Syrian civil War 2011 has resulted in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The country continues to face important challenges till then like only a quarter of this year’s humanitarian needs in Syria have been funded. As of last sensex 13 million Syrians face acute food insecurity and over 650,000 children show signs of stunting (Inadequate growth) from severe malnutrition. 

Mr Grandi emphasised the urgent need for humanitarian aid and more substantial resources to support early recovery activities. 

In Damascus Mr Grandi launched an Inter-agency emergency appeal for $324 million by meeting with donors virtually to help all those who are fleeing into Syria as well as the families hosting many of them, for a six-month period.

The needs of both new arrivals and host communities are being addressed across Syria by UNHCR . They are also strengthening its legal support programmes.