UNHCR: Number of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Reaches 28,000
The number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon rose to 28,000 but only 20,000 of them are receiving humanitarian assistance throughout the country, the most recent update from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Monday.
Field trips and contacts with the Internal Security Forces revealed that new families have recently arrived to several towns in the northeastern Bekaa, including Hermel, al-Qaa and Mazraat Ain el-Jawzeh, it said.
Despite the increase in the number of the displaced Syrians, who are escaping the violence in their country, only 20,702 of them are registered with the UNHCR, it added.
Last week, U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins voiced the world body’s commitment to assisting the Lebanese authorities in addressing the humanitarian needs of the refugees.
Residents of the northeastern town of Arsal have also called on international organizations to increase the level of aid to the displaced who have taken shelter there.
A report released by the UNHCR in Geneva on Monday, shows that 2011 has been a record year for forced displacement across borders worldwide, with more people becoming refugees than at any time since 2000.
UNHCR's "Global Trends 2011" report details that in all, 4.3 million people were newly displaced, with a full 800,000 of these fleeing their countries and becoming refugees.
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