UN High Commissioner for Refugees: A major humanitarian tragedy is unfolding for displaced people in Lebanon

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, stated at a press conference in Lebanon that the UNHCR is preparing to provide assistance to Lebanese refugees, whose numbers he estimated at over one million. He described the situation in Lebanon as a major humanitarian tragedy.

Following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, he added that they had appealed to the international community for assistance to the UNHCR in order to help the Lebanese refugees. He noted that relief organizations and the UN representative are working on the same mission.

Salih said he visited areas in Beirut and witnessed the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes and the plight of civilian victims. He also mentioned the presence of Syrians displaced from southern Lebanon due to the ongoing events in the country.

He affirmed that he conveyed to the Lebanese President a message of international solidarity and the UNHCR’s solidarity with Lebanon. He emphasized the partnership with the Lebanese government and various stakeholders to assist refugees and displaced persons, and the necessity of mobilizing international support to help Lebanon in these difficult circumstances.

While stressing the importance of humanitarian aid, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized the need to end what he called the recurring cycle of violence that leads to destruction, displacement, forced migration and human suffering, expressing his hope that lasting peace will prevail and the war will end as soon as possible so that the Lebanese state can fully exercise its duties towards its people.