BEIRUT:
There has been a sizable spike in Syrian refugees receiving aid from the United
Nations, as life for refugees becomes increasingly difficult, the U.N. aid
organization reported Friday.
The
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is aiding 4,000 more Syrians this
week than last week, around 34,000 people in total. Thousands more have entered
the country but have not sought aid, the UNHCR report said.
“Many
of the recent arrivals who were interviewed by protection teams indicated that
they were coming to Lebanon for a few weeks until the situation in their home
areas became more secure. Some said they were hoping to find work in Tripoli or
south Lebanon,” reads the report.
A
bomb that killed four of the regime’s top military and security officials last
Thursday shook the country amid a sharp upturn in fighting in Greater Damascus,
prompting thousands of Syrians to cross into Lebanon.
UNHCR’s
report confirmed that most of those fleeing last week were well-off families
from Damascus. “Relatively few of the most recent new arrivals are in need of
humanitarian assistance at this time,” the report reads.
Estimates
of the total displaced population range as high as 90,000 people, according to
activist leaders, and amid the influx and deteriorating conditions along the
border.
Two
weeks ago, Lebanon’s Higher Relief Committee said it had run out of funds to
treat wounded Syrians and has scaled back its assistance. “This has led to an
urgent and unanticipated gap in health care,” the report says.
The
HRC and the government have continued to block attempts to set up a central
registration point for refugees in Tripoli.
The
UNHCR has tried to set up registration in the city – one of the largest hubs of
Syrian refugees in the country – for months to no avail, according to earlier
reports.
Other
challenges include an increase in contamination levels of water that refugees
are receiving, as well as an increased difficulty in finding suitable shelter
in safe areas.
The
UNHCR also noted a limited amount of government cooperation with regard to
securing shelter.
The
report said a recent decree from the Education Ministry had made schooling for
Syrian children more complicated. The ministry ruled that Syrian children
without their school certificates can attend classes, but cannot officially
enroll in school or take final exams.
The
UNHCR is appealing to have the decision reversed, as most children fled in an
emergency situation without their certificates.
The
organization reported that cross-border attacks and shelling have put around
160 Syrians, who are residing in border villages where there has been heavy
fighting, in severe risk.
Also
Friday, the EU announced it was contributing 5 million euros ($6 million) to
help Syrian refugees in Lebanon and their host communities.
“The European Union is
committed to ensure that these host communities in particular are able to
mitigate the impact of this unprecedented influx in the medium to long term,”
said an EU press release.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jul-28/182362-syrian-refugee-numbers-rising-as-conditions-deteriorate-un.ashx#axzz21tl8qNMp
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