The Daily Star - U.N. humanitarian coordinator urges more access for HRC, June 15 2012

By Rakan al-Fakih

ARSAL, Lebanon: U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins urged the government Thursday to allow its official refugee body to be active throughout the country, to enhance its effectiveness in helping Syrian refugees.

Watkins made the plea during a visit to the Bekaa border town of Arsal, a day after Syrian forces briefly kidnapped a farmer and reportedly planted land mines along the eastern border.

Speaking from Arsal, Watkins said he met with displaced Syrian families and Lebanese host families in order to observe their situation first-hand.

“I know this is a very difficult time for both of them as well as for the residents of the border area,” Watkins said, stressing the U.N.’s commitment to continue assisting Beirut to meet humanitarian needs of refugees.

The UNHCR estimates nearly 8,000 displaced Syrians in the Bekaa, out of a total of around 26,000 in the country, although some local charity workers say the number is far higher.

The Lebanese government’s Higher Relief Committee currently only operates in north Lebanon, although the UNHCR has an office in Arsal and is registering refugees there and distributing aid to them.

“We would welcome a decision that would permit the HRC to operate throughout Lebanon to ensure a more efficient and coordinated response to the needs of the Lebanese and displaced population,” Watkins said.

He added that he was “impressed by the generosity and hospitality” of Lebanese host families, “despite the difficult socio-economic circumstances they face themselves.”

He was hosted by Arsal’s mayor, Ali Hujeiri, and said he discussed with him “the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border and the impact of recent events on the resident population.”

“The United Nations has condemned these incidents that have included kidnappings and in some cases fatalities. These incidents also highlight the importance of border management and delineation in this area,” he added.

Hujeiri welcomed Watkins’ visit to Arsal and confirmed that the issue of Syrian refugees in the town is worsening as their numbers are increasing.

The trip marked Watkins’ first to the Bekaa region since his appointment as earlier this year.

Watkins also met with Internal Security Forces Brig. Gen. Emile Atallah, the Internal Security Forces commander in the Bekaa, at the Zahle Serail, where they discussed tensions in Arsal.

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