UNRWA Comm-General Visits Lebanon

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini paid a visit to Lebanon to help Palestine refugees there.

Lazzarini, who is on an official visit to Lebanon, highlighted the miserable living conditions of Palestine Refugees and discussed ways to mobilize sustainable support, during a series of meetings he held with refugees and donors.

“People in Lebanon, among them Palestine refugees, are suffering and paying the price for something not of their making. I met with Palestine refugees during my visit who are completely ravished by poverty, despair and lack of prospects," he said.

“The humanitarian situation of Palestine refugees in Lebanon is extremely alarming," he noted. "People are dying a slow death as many are unable to afford medicines or co-share the cost of treatment, especially for chronic diseases and cancer."

He continued: "Levels of poverty and unemployment are unprecedented due to one of the worst economic crises in recent history. The spread of cholera is the latest tragic layer that adds to acute hardship and helplessness."

“In the Beddawi Palestine refugee camp, north of Lebanon, I met Salim, who asked that I relay his call for help so that his family can survive this dark episode of the country’s economic freefall."

In October, the UNRWA representative put out a plea on behalf of Palestine refugees highlighting the levels of despair they are living in. He asked the world to “Hear Their Voices” and act to help UNRWA help Palestine refugees with the bear minimum, to make ends meet and live in dignity.

In response, Germany provided US$ 6 million to Palestine refugees in Lebanon. 

 "With Germany support, UNRWA will be able to do a round of cash assistance distribution to the most vulnerable as they prepare for winter. This cash assistance also includes Palestine refugees from Syria who depend on monthly assistance from UNRWA to survive," Lazzarini pointed out.