First Group of Syrian Refugees Leaves Lebanon for Germany
More than 100 Syrian refugees left Lebanon for Germany on Wednesday under the European country's relocation program for up to 5,000 displaced, the state-run National News Agency reported.
NNA said 107 refugees traveled from Rafik Hariri International Airport with the assistance of the German Embassy.
Germany has granted the exiles two-year residence permits and could extend them if the war in Syria continues.
"Germany's humanitarian assistance program provides for up to 5,000 places for Syrian refugees, and as such is the biggest relocation program currently in existence for the Syria crisis," Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the U.N. high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR), said Tuesday.
The overwhelming majority of the two million Syrians who have fled their conflict-torn homeland are in neighboring countries Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq, which along with the UNHCR have appealed for more international help to shoulder the burden.
With no sign of an end to the Syrian civil war, which broke out in 2011, UNHCR has appealed to rich countries to offer a haven for some 12,000 of the most vulnerable refugees.
Besides Germany, Austria has offered 500 places. Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have pledged more than 1,650 places together.
The United States has also told the UNHCR that it was willing to consider an unspecified number of cases, and talks are under way with Britain, Fleming said.
over 10 years
better than M8 gvt who did nothing....
over 10 years
We are not really in a position to complain. We need every ounce, and every penny of assistance from the international community to help us cope with this crisis and population influx.
over 10 years
Not long ago Israel was boasting how compassionate it was by offering injured Syrian Refugees Medical treatment . Well Israel , it's about time you show True Compassion by stepping up the bar & offer the Syrian Refugees " Their " own land ( Golan Heights ) as a safe Haven ! You truly are a miserable bunch of thieves if you don't!
No wonder the almighty displaced you Jews into Slavery on many occasions ! You all have no compassion !
Signed Wolf !!!!!!!!
over 10 years
Cut the racism wolf, I just reported you.
over 10 years
The sad fact is that none of these Syrians will return to Syria, if they do, it will be as visitors to their native land. They will now become German citizens joining the countless other refugees and immigrants from around the world to live in a country that is alien to them, and their culture. Soon many will have their children in this new land grew up not knowing of their Arab and Syrian identity. It is a shame what is happening to the Arab and African people for that matter. the west comes stirs problems in our land and our people flee to their countries and become indoctrinated into a western capitalist system where people lack a sense of identity. Where people become consumers and slaves to the banking system. In Syria they knew their neighbours, they were close to their family and now what do they have to look forward to.
over 10 years
I'm sick and tired of paying for you people with my European tax money and in Lebanon for maffias!
over 10 years
minibash, why would you want to send them to Iran? You really think it's easy to learn Farsi? I am told that Iran is predominantly Shia, but I really do not know what this means. These refugees barely speak Arabic and most of them are grown-ups already and will definitely have a hard time learning the difficult language of Farsi. Unless you have in mind sending the children to Iran and the grown-ups to Qatar or KSA! I chose not to mention the many BAAAAAAAAAD things that we hear about Iran, but I'm sure you heard about wilayat al faqih, the mullas, the tchador and all the other fantasies that Farts 14 and Sanni First keep telling us about. So please, minibash, Sir, I urge you to rethink your thoughts and republish. Many thanks minibash.
NB: I met your nephew "slash" the other day on Naharnet. He, too, is a potential genius.
almost 9 years
لو سمحتو انا وضعي الصحي صعب جدا. لدي مرض بالقلب. و لدي 3اطفال صغار ساعدوني بيتي انهدم في حلب وليس لدي سكن او مأوا
almost 9 years
ياعطيكن العافيه انا وضعي كتير سيأ بلبنان بتمنا تساعدوني لاني عم نام بشارع وما معي اكل بتمنا تساعدوني انا شب عزابي
over 8 years
انا صارلي حوالي اربع سنوات في لبنان هربان من الحرب وعلي خدمه واذا رحت على سوريا راح امووت يرضيكم هل الشي. ليش تزعلو عل الواحد لما يموت وانتو فيكم تساعدوه اتمنى المساهده
Ähm yeah sure, about 7000 refugees are going to leave lebanon...do you think this is going to help us anyhow?! There are more than 1 Miliion syrian refugees in Lebanon! And trust me, these poor refugees who will get the chance to leave will have payed a huge amount of money for this "present" thanks to the corrupt "helpers"