Conditions in Lebanon are “terrible” – will venture into the Mediterranean
1.2 million people are displaced in Lebanon, according to the country’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Now Jan Egeland, diplomat and secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, is warning that the country’s refugee crisis created after the recent weeks’ escalation in the war between Israel and Hezbollah may reach Europe.
– Some make it to Syria, but many will go to the Mediterranean. So if Europe wants to avoid a new million people fleeing across the Mediterranean, it must invest much more in aid in Lebanon, says Jan Egeland.
Overburdened hospitals
Lebanon is in the midst of an economic crisis that is being exacerbated by the escalation. Many have fled from the southern parts to the country’s capital Beirut, and Egeland describes the conditions for the refugees as “absolutely terrible”.
– A heroic effort is being made by Lebanese hospitals and doctors, but they are completely overloaded. Several aid workers and medical workers are dead, and many are on the run, he says.
According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, over 160,000 have fled Lebanon to neighboring Syria since September 23, but on Friday Lebanese politicians and media said the main escape route between the countries had been destroyed in an Israeli airstrike.
Diplomat Jan Egeland.
Diplomat Jan Egeland.
“Needs greater resources”
During Thursday, representatives of seven organizations active in Lebanon and Gaza met. According to them, international actors must particularly focus on emergency aid reaching the affected areas.
– There is no truce in sight. Humanitarian diplomacy seems to have fallen behind, and actors seem wary of pressuring Israel to provide humanitarian aid, Konynduk of Refugees International said at a press conference, reports TT.
The outside world needs to put pressure on Israel, Iran and Hezbollah for a ceasefire, Egeland thinks, but above all to contribute more resources to emergency aid and assistance.
– We need money. All major aid donors have reduced their aid to Lebanon. There is no doubt that they will need help, food, shelter and shelter, because there is nowhere to run, he says.