Akkar, Lebanon
Thursday, 23 January 2014
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, visited the Akkar region in north Lebanon today to see the conditions of Syrian refugees and Lebanese communities hosting them as well as the security situation along Lebanon’s northern borders.
In Qobayat, the Special Coordinator was briefed by representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other local and international partner NGOs on the conditions of over 250,000 Syrian refugees who have taken refuge in north Lebanon, the Lebanese communities hosting them and the humanitarian assistance extended to both.
In Wadi Khaled, Mr. Plumbly met with the heads of 13 municipalities from Wadi Khaled and Akroum who explained the difficulties facing the growing numbers of refugees and those hosting them. Mr. Plumbly also visited different shelters, supported by the Norwegian refugee Council, Swiss Development Cooperation and United Nations that provide assistance to the refugees. “I have seen the difficult conditions, and the urgent need for more assistance. We hope the latest international appeal, including for $1.7 billion for Lebanon, will be met with generosity from the international community,” Mr. Plumbly said.
During his trip, Mr. Plumbly visited projects in Wadi Khaled to provide shelter and other needs of the Syrian refugees and of the Lebanese communities in the area, managed by UN and other partner international NGOs. He also visited projects aimed at promoting the medium and longer term resilience capabilities of the Lebanese communities in these difficult circumstances, including a UNDP-managed waste treatment project in Amayer in Wadi Khaled.
Finally, the Special Coordinator met with representatives of the Lebanese Army in Chadra to discuss the security in north Lebanon, particularly along Lebanon’s northern borders. He condemned the cross-border shelling and attacks into Lebanese areas. “The United Nations continues to call for complete respect of Lebanon’s borders and sovereignty,” he said. Mr. Plumbly also paid tribute to the dedicated role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces in addressing security challenges in the area.
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