| The Daily Star |
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WADI KHALED, Lebanon: Hundreds of Syrians have crossed into Lebanon in the past few days, settling in houses that suffer from overcrowding and shortages of food and medicine.
According to a local resident, between 350 and 400 refugees have fled several Syrian villages and entered neighboring Lebanon via illegal border crossings. They have taken refuge in private houses in the northern border town of Wadi Khaled.
The refugees spoke to The Daily Star about the problems they faced in crossing into Lebanon, as there are Lebanese and Syrian forces guarding both sides of the border. The refugees confirmed that there are more than 200 additional people currently trying to enter Wadi Khaled, and sources believe there will be an increase in the number of refugees in the next few days.
The refugees brought necessities such as food and clothing with them. Many of them live and own businesses in the Syrian city of Homs, but are from Wadi Khaled and own houses and land in the town. The residents of Wadi Khaled helped those without houses to find shelter in nearby homes, and with friends and relatives.
Wadi Khaled is known for preserving its local traditions, especially when it comes to hospitality. Accordingly, Naji Ramadan, the mayor of the Wadi Khaled village of Mashta Hammoud, prompted both prominent figures and average residents of the region to “share their bread with the refugees.”
Ramadan said that “120 refugees were welcomed as honored guests in his family home.” He said that other refugees were trying to reach the villages that make up Wadi Khaled and the surrounding areas through various means, including the unpaved crossings that connect the Lebanese border villages with Syria.
“[The refugees’] psychological and health conditions are extremely bad and need a lot of care and attention,” Ramadan said, calling on both the government and civil society organizations to care for the refugees and offer them food and medical aid. He specifically mentioned the need for blankets and milk for children.
Wadi Khaled shares a seven kilometer border with Syria, and along this stretch there are four illegal crossings. The Syrian and Lebanese authorities are monitoring the border especially closely because of the cross-border links between families.
According to unofficial estimates, more than 5,000 Syrians, most of them women and children, have fled to Lebanon since the start of the popular uprising in Syria. Many have been welcomed by a number of Lebanese families because of the connections formed through cross-border marriages.
But the conditions of the refugees hosted by the area’s residents are very poor, the source from Wadi Khaled said, adding that individual houses are holding more than 50 people each. These houses lack sufficient food, mattresses, and blankets.
These poor conditions are symptomatic of a real crisis, especially if this period of displacement is prolonged, the source continued, adding that the refugees have a range of immediate needs including milk for children and basic food products such as rice, sugar, oil, pasta and fava beans.
According to the source, there is an increasing need for medication to treat chronic illnesses. There is also a shortage of first aid kits, and some children are sick.
Wadi Khaled’s houses will remain open to Syrian refugees, the source said, adding that the residents of North Lebanon will continue to offer aid in addition to that provided by the High Relief Council and UN agencies.
Future Bloc Akkar MP Mouin Merabi called on the Lebanese government and the High Relief Council to send follow-up committees to Wadi Khaled in order to assess to the refugees’ conditions and provide the necessary aid.
Merabi also asked those refugees who have health problems to go to area hospitals. He said that he hopes the Health Ministry will offer health care to the refugees.
According to a local resident, between 350 and 400 refugees have fled several Syrian villages and entered neighboring Lebanon via illegal border crossings. They have taken refuge in private houses in the northern border town of Wadi Khaled.
The refugees spoke to The Daily Star about the problems they faced in crossing into Lebanon, as there are Lebanese and Syrian forces guarding both sides of the border. The refugees confirmed that there are more than 200 additional people currently trying to enter Wadi Khaled, and sources believe there will be an increase in the number of refugees in the next few days.
The refugees brought necessities such as food and clothing with them. Many of them live and own businesses in the Syrian city of Homs, but are from Wadi Khaled and own houses and land in the town. The residents of Wadi Khaled helped those without houses to find shelter in nearby homes, and with friends and relatives.
Wadi Khaled is known for preserving its local traditions, especially when it comes to hospitality. Accordingly, Naji Ramadan, the mayor of the Wadi Khaled village of Mashta Hammoud, prompted both prominent figures and average residents of the region to “share their bread with the refugees.”
Ramadan said that “120 refugees were welcomed as honored guests in his family home.” He said that other refugees were trying to reach the villages that make up Wadi Khaled and the surrounding areas through various means, including the unpaved crossings that connect the Lebanese border villages with Syria.
“[The refugees’] psychological and health conditions are extremely bad and need a lot of care and attention,” Ramadan said, calling on both the government and civil society organizations to care for the refugees and offer them food and medical aid. He specifically mentioned the need for blankets and milk for children.
Wadi Khaled shares a seven kilometer border with Syria, and along this stretch there are four illegal crossings. The Syrian and Lebanese authorities are monitoring the border especially closely because of the cross-border links between families.
According to unofficial estimates, more than 5,000 Syrians, most of them women and children, have fled to Lebanon since the start of the popular uprising in Syria. Many have been welcomed by a number of Lebanese families because of the connections formed through cross-border marriages.
But the conditions of the refugees hosted by the area’s residents are very poor, the source from Wadi Khaled said, adding that individual houses are holding more than 50 people each. These houses lack sufficient food, mattresses, and blankets.
These poor conditions are symptomatic of a real crisis, especially if this period of displacement is prolonged, the source continued, adding that the refugees have a range of immediate needs including milk for children and basic food products such as rice, sugar, oil, pasta and fava beans.
According to the source, there is an increasing need for medication to treat chronic illnesses. There is also a shortage of first aid kits, and some children are sick.
Wadi Khaled’s houses will remain open to Syrian refugees, the source said, adding that the residents of North Lebanon will continue to offer aid in addition to that provided by the High Relief Council and UN agencies.
Future Bloc Akkar MP Mouin Merabi called on the Lebanese government and the High Relief Council to send follow-up committees to Wadi Khaled in order to assess to the refugees’ conditions and provide the necessary aid.
Merabi also asked those refugees who have health problems to go to area hospitals. He said that he hopes the Health Ministry will offer health care to the refugees.
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