BEIRUT:
Syria’s refugee crisis could adversely affect stability in neighboring Lebanon
and Jordan, and the international community must increase humanitarian aid to
prevent this from happening, according to a report by Refugees International.
The
humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Washington, currently has
a team in the Middle East, which is investigating the situation of Syrian
refugees.
“Considering
the pressure they are under domestically, Lebanon and Jordan have made real
efforts to accommodate Syrian refugees,” Michel Gabaudan, president of RI, said
from Amman, Jordan.
“But
with roughly 125,000 Syrian refugees between them, the two nations’ social
services are being stretched to the limit.
“Unless
the West and other donors step in to fill these gaps, their generosity could
soon evaporate under domestic political and economic pressure,” he added.
The
report notes that for more than 50 years, Lebanon and Jordan have hosted waves
of refugees from neighboring countries, including Palestinians and Iraqis.
This
has put tremendous pressure on both countries, and the arrival of Syrians could
worsen the situation, particularly given the two countries’ already strained
economies and precarious politics.
The
bulk of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon are being hosted by individual
families with limited financial means.
It
is unrealistic for hosts to continue to stretch their limited resources, and
the tension could create conflict if aid agencies do not step up their efforts,
the report cautions.
“Aid
providers have the right ideas when it comes to supporting communities, but
can’t implement them fast enough,” said Daryl Grisgraber, a senior advocate at
RI.
“For them to meet families’
needs and [defuse] tension, they need more resources, and that means a much
greater commitment from the U.S., the Gulf countries, and other major donors,” he
said.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Jun-05/175723-syrian-refugee-crisis-threatens-lebanons-stability-report.ashx#axzz1wvMEwjSZ
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