The UN has expressed concern over Lebanese families returning to Lebanon from Syria amid dire conditions. Approximately 560,000 people have fled into Syria since late September, with many facing severe economic difficulties. Gonzalo Vargas Llosa noted that a small number of individuals are risking their safety to return, highlighting the need for international support to address these challenges.
The United Nations expressed urgent concern regarding the precarious decision-making of some Lebanese individuals who fled to Syria in search of refuge due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. According to Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, a representative from the UN refugee agency, a small grouping of Lebanese families is contemplating a return to Lebanon under what he described as potentially life-threatening circumstances. Although these numbers are minimal, they signal alarming trends amid the backdrop of dire conditions in Syria, exacerbated by thirteen years of ongoing civil war.
As of late September, the UNHCR indicated that approximately 560,000 people had crossed from Lebanon into Syria, with local authorities estimating the figure to be even greater at over 610,000. The majority of these individuals, around 65%, are Syrian nationals who had previously sought safety in Lebanon. Vargas Llosa noted that in the same timeframe, around 400,000 Syrians had returned to Syria from Lebanon, signifying a complex and distressing humanitarian situation. Furthermore, the inflow has also seen about 150,000 Lebanese arriving in Syria during this period.
Despite the warm welcome from Syrian communities, concerns are rising over the sustainability of such generosity, especially given Syria’s catastrophic economic conditions. The UNHCR reported that an average of fifty Lebanese individuals are choosing to return each day, prompted by the deteriorating living conditions in Syria compared to Lebanon, where they may find better access to services and potential income. Vargas Llosa warned that without adequate international support, the situation could worsen, leading to an increased number of Lebanese opting to return under dire conditions.
As the pace of arrivals into Syria has decreased significantly due to fears regarding the safety of escape routes, attributed to Israeli attacks on border crossings, Vargas Llosa urged an immediate cessation of such hostilities to ensure the safety of both Syrian and Lebanese populations.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which recently escalated, has led to a marked increase in the number of Lebanese fleeing to Syria to escape violence. This displacement occurring amidst an already fragile humanitarian landscape poses significant challenges not only for those displaced but also for the host communities in Syria, which have suffered extensive damage from years of civil conflict. The Lebanese refugees’ situation highlights the complexities of regional instability and the interconnections between the conflicts in Lebanon and Syria.
In conclusion, the United Nations’ call to attention underscores the multifaceted humanitarian crisis stemming from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and its impact on refugee dynamics. The increasing number of Lebanese families considering a hazardous return to Lebanon reflects a desperate search for safety amidst appalling conditions in Syria. It raises significant concerns regarding the adequacy of support for these populations, necessitating urgent international attention to avert escalating humanitarian needs.
Original Source: thesun.my
