The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) is a local non-profit, non-partisan Lebanese human rights organization in Beirut that was established by the Franco-Lebanese Movement SOLIDA (Support for Lebanese Detained Arbitrarily) in 2006. SOLIDA has been active since 1996 in the struggle against arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the impunity of those perpetrating gross human violations.

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July 28, 2012

The Daily Star - Syrian refugee numbers rising as conditions deteriorate: U.N., July 28 2012


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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