UN envoy for Lebanon visits refugee camps, pledges support to deal with influx of Syrians

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag today expressed support to Middle East country as it faces the impact of the conflict in Syria.

During her tour of Lebanon's north-eastern Bekaa Valley – home to some 410,000 Syrian refugees – Ms. Kaag expressed her appreciation to the country's host communities for their generosity and solidarity with Syria's refugees.

“This is not about differentiation, it is about human dignity, to support the most vulnerable,” the Special Coordinator said, emphasizing the need for timely and targeted assistance by all partners to ensure that needs continue to be met. “Safety, security, protection and human rights are needed to ensure the stabilization of Lebanon.”

During her tour, Ms. Kaag met with region's parliamentarians, the Governor of the northern Bekaa and local authorities of Baalbeck. The talks covered political and security developments but also the humanitarian and socio-economic challenges of the area.

The Special Coordinator also referenced the importance of sustained assistance to reinforce stability and stabilization of Lebanon, benefitting the Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities alike.

Ms. Kaag visited a Syrian refugee site in Fayda/Omarieh and listened to the concerns of refugees. She also visited a solar panel installation, set up in the village of Terbol with the assistance of the Municipality of Terbol and UN Development Programme (UNDP) to serve all residents of the area.

Regarding the security situation along Lebanon's eastern borders with Syria, the Special Coordinator praised the efforts of the Lebanese army and security forces to safeguard the country's security and stability.