iloubnan- Angelina Eichhorst and HRC discuss the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, December 20, 2011

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, met today with General Ibrahim Bachir, the Secretary General of the High Relief Commission (HRC). Mrs. Eichhorst congratulated General Bachir for his recent nomination and for the work done by the HRC in providing relief to the Syrian displaced in the North of Lebanon. 

The discussion focused on the measures being jointly undertaken by the HRC and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to address the humanitarian needs of people crossing from Syria into Northern Lebanon and on the necessity for adequate contingency planning. Lebanon should take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of Lebanese citizens, foreigners and displaced in Lebanon. 

On a broader level, Mrs. Eichhorst also highlighted the importance of finalising the Memorandum of Understanding between the Lebanese authorities and UNHCR to better guarantee the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon. This would also allow for stronger EU support to Lebanon in this regard. 

Mrs. Eichhorst and General Bachir discussed the need for Lebanon to step up the institutionalisation of an emergency response structure to deal with natural and man-made disasters. Mrs. Eichhorst confirmed the EU's willingness to further support Lebanon on crisis prevention, preparedness and response, following the positive experience of the National Response Plan for CBRN-related events (i.e. of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear origin), developed under a EU-funded project by an inter-institutional Committee chaired by the Lebanese Armed Forces.