World Bank Chief Sounds Alarm over Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim warned that Lebanon is heading towards a “disaster” over the alarming influx of Syrian refugees into its territories.
He called on the international community to give a greater support to Lebanon, which has allowed more than 760,000 Syrian refugees to settle since fighting broke out in Syria more than two and a half years ago.
“We need to do much more or we risk catastrophe in Lebanon,” Kim said in a speech at George Washington University on the eve of the World Bank Group/IMF Annual Meetings.
caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour said from Geneva that Lebanon counted by Monday evening some 769,000 Syrians registered or in the process of registering as refugees, pointing out that on Monday morning the number had been 763,000.
Including all the unregistered Syrians, the actual number is around 1.3 million, he said, or about 30 percent of the Lebanese population.
Monday's Geneva conference will form three committees to resolve the Syrian refugee crisis – one that deals with finances, the other works on sending them to other countries and the third to find refuge to them inside Syria.
over 10 years
Karim - much of the funding to pay rent and food is coming from KSA. In my home town, the aid comes through Jama'a Islamiya. One can retort back to you that it is Iran, the Hizb and the regime in syria who are causing much of the refugee crisis. Why would these refugee not go to coastal areas in syria that are solidely controlled by the regime? It is a very short drive from north lebanon!
over 10 years
Where are the Iranians and/or the Syrian government who expelled their own people under the threat of death and bodily harm. Bashar Al-Assad must pay for all the refugee needs, including build them new homes once they return back to Syria. Also, as you say, the Kingdom of Terrorism, S.A. and Qatar are more than welcome to take immediate action to rid Lebanon from this mess.
over 10 years
Rafeh & Vincent - I didn't ask for your Al Qaeda sympathizing viewpoints. Thanks.
over 10 years
Smart boy, who is an Al-Qaeda sympathizer? All Hizb Allah supporters should be bundled with Al-Qaeda and make your way to Syria, Iran or Saudi Arabia. At that point, you have our blessing to resolve your issues any any fashion you deem necessary.
over 10 years
Is this Al-Qaeda name calling similar to baseless allegations and accusations of fellow Lebanese of being Zionist sympathizer who do not agree with you?
over 10 years
Karim - you are childish. I despise Al Qaeda even more than the blood sucking regine and its supporters.
over 10 years
Regime
Where are the countries that arm and finance the FSA-Al Qaeda terrorists (i.e. the kingdom of terrorism, Qatar, etc.)? Why are they not sending aid to Lebanon or taking in refugees themselves, considering that they are the ones responsible for the refugees' hardship in the first place?