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UN working with Lebanon to aid families fleeing unrest in Syria

UN working with Lebanon to aid families fleeing unrest in Syria

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The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and partners are working with the Lebanese government in the border areas of northern Lebanon to provide food and shelter to families who have fled the violence in Syria in recent weeks, an agency spokesperson said today.

Andrej Mahecic, citing Lebanese officials, said some 1,400 people have crossed into the Wadi Khaled and Tall Biri regions over the past week from the Syrian town of Tall Kalakh – in addition to those that have crossed since late April. Local authorities estimate that around 4,000 Syrians have crossed to Lebanon recently, he said.

“Many of those who have crossed the border recently have come without any belongings, having fled what they say was heavy military bombardment of Tall Kalakh and surrounding areas,” Mahecic said. “Most have found shelter with relatives or host families, and some are residing temporarily in a school in Tall Biri.”

“Most of the people who have crossed the border in recent weeks are women and children. In addition to their immediate need for food, shelter and medical help, they also need psycho-social support. The latter is being addressed by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he said.

UNHCR has distributed some 3,500 mattresses, 1,600 blankets and more than 500 food packages that can feed a family of four for a month.

Mr. Mahecic said UNHCR is following up with the Lebanese Government on reports of individuals being detained for illegal entry and that some are being returned to Syria.

Mr. Mahecic praised the Lebanese Government’s initiative to assign priority to the coordination of the response to the humanitarian needs of those displaced in the north.

“The pro-active role taken by the Lebanese authorities to ensure that new arrivals are assisted is encouraging,” he said.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said earlier this month that the UN has repeatedly asked Syria to allow an independent humanitarian team to be granted access to the cities and towns where security forces have clashed with protesters. He said that an assessment mission was vital so that the international community can mount an effective humanitarian response to the violence.