The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has called for greater international support to respond to the humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Lebanon.
After two weeks of airstrikes by Israel's military on Lebanon hundreds of people have been killed and over a million people to flee their homes. The UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi visited Beirut and issued a statement Sunday (October 6) expressing his solidarity with Lebanon and calling for more support for all those affected, both Lebanese and refugees.
During his visit, Grandi met with the prime minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, and other senior officials, the UN and humanitarian community, UNHCR staff, and displaced families.
After visiting Syrian refugees in Beirut's Nabaa neighborhood, he said he appreciated Lebanon's generosity in hosting so many refugees, including those forced to flee Syria, despite the considerable challenges the country had faced.
"These refugees are now forced to flee again with scant resources and nowhere safe to go," he said.
Read Also'Attacks on civilians pile fresh misery on Lebanon' – UNHCR
'International humanitarian law must be respected'
Grandi also said the war was taking "a tragic toll on entire communities," urging all sides in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law.
"Families have been left homeless, stranded in the open air with traumatized children unable to understand what's happening. They all told me how desperate they are to feel safe, and for the airstrikes to stop so they can return to their towns and villages.
"It is an urgent moral imperative to help the people affected by this recent escalation. They should not pay the price for the abysmal failure to find political solutions and end this vicious cycle of violence. Now, at this time of overwhelming need, the world must come to Lebanon's aid."
Appeal for US111 million dollars
With large numbers of people displaced within the country in just two weeks, government-run shelters are overwhelmed and UNHCR is working with humanitarian partners and the authorities to urgently find safe shelter for all those without any place to go.
The UN refugee agency is providing people with essential relief items, cash assistance, shelter assistance, medical care, and other support. However, significantly more funding is needed for humanitarians to respond adequately.
UNHCR has launched an appeal for US111 million dollars to assist 1 million displaced people in Lebanon through the end of 2024, as part of a wider UN appeal for 425.7 million dollars.