Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Kardel today visited the Bekaa, in east Lebanon.

She met with Syrian refugees at a tented settlement in Qab Elias and heard their accounts of the challenges they faced, particularly those faced by women and youth. She also interacted with Lebanese municipal authorities, including the municipality of Qab Elias and the Union of Municipalities of Al-Bohaira, which includes the municipalities of Qaraoun, Aaitanit, Baaloul,  Saghbine,  kherbet Kanafar and Mashgharah.

“I was impressed by the generosity I witnessed from Lebanese host communities and municipalities eight years into the Syrian conflict and  it was moving to hear refugees’ stories, and their expressed desire to return home.” The Acting Special Coordinator said that until they can do so, the international community, including through the upcoming conferences in Paris and Brussels, will continue to offer necessary support and assistance.

She said support for refugees as well as stabilization projects to the host communities remained a priority for the UN. In Zahleh, she visited the Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and a UNHCR registration/counselling center. She also visited the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office, and UNDP’s irrigation project in Qab Elias, sewage treatment plant in Aaitanit and solar lighting systems in Qaraoun.