Pumbly highlights needs of Syrian refugees during visit

During a visit to Syrian refugees in north Lebanon, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly highlighted the need for urgent humanitarian help. “We all hope that political efforts for a solution in Syria will bear fruit and that those who have been displaced will soon be able to return to their homes,” Plumbly said during his visit. “In the meantime, assisting them in their need is an urgent humanitarian obligation, and one to which Lebanon has risen impressively,” he stressed. He praised the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, particularly the High Relief Commission, for the “excellent job” it has been doing, adding that the U.N. will continue providing assistance as long as necessary. During his visit, Plumbly met displaced Syrian families who had sought refuge in the northern border area of Wadi Khaled. He also met UN staff working there as well as local authorities in Wadi Khaled, Mashta Hammoud and Mashta Hasan who briefed him on the situation in the area. Later Tuesday, Plumbly held meetings with representatives of the Lebanese Army and lawmakers from the Akkar region. Plumbly said the aim of his daylong visit was to “gain a better understanding of the situation here.” “There are many concerns in Lebanon about the crisis in Syria,” he believed. “But the impact of the crisis is probably most acute here in the north of Lebanon because of the proximity to the Syrian border and because of the displacement here of Syrian citizens who have sought refuge in Lebanon from the violence in their country.” According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Lebanese authorities, over 9,600 Syrians have registered for assistance in north Lebanon, many of them in Akkar. A lesser number are receiving assistance in the rest of the country, mainly in the Bekaa.