Good morning, I am very pleased to be here today. This is not my first visit to south Lebanon but my first to Shebaa and I am very grateful for the welcome that I have received.
As the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, I have visited many parts of Lebanon from Akkar in north Lebanon to the Bekaa and today I am here in Shebaa to see firsthand the conditions of the Syrian refugees and of the Lebanese communities hosting them.
The people of Shebaa, as in other areas of Lebanon, have demonstrated remarkable hospitality and generosity towards their Syrian neighbors who have been displaced. I met this morning with the Deputy Mayor of Shebaa and representatives from a number of organizations and discussed with them what the people of Shebaa need and the needs of the displaced persons who have taken refuge here. I also visited a collective shelter where I met and talked with some Syrian refugee families.
The situation is clearly very difficult and the humanitarian needs are growing for both the refugees and the communities hosting them, particularly as the number of the refugees continues to rise. In Shebaa, there are an estimated 1500 refugees while UNHCR has said there are over 444,000 refugees who have registered or are seeking registration to receive assistance throughout Lebanon. United Nations agencies are working closely with the Lebanese government and other local and international NGOs to provide assistance as best as possible but resources are insufficient to cover all the needs. The United Nations has appealed to the international community to come forward with more badly needed assistance which we hope will be forthcoming quickly given the tremendous needs in Lebanon.
Thank you