Senior UN official calls for international support for refugees in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) — A top UN refugee official on Saturday called for increased international support for Lebanon and refugees living there, and urged action to resolve the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis.

Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), expressed concern about the impact of the economic crisis on vulnerable populations during a two-day visit to Lebanon.

“I am saddened by the impact of Lebanon's socio-economic crisis on the most vulnerable,” Menikdiwela said in a statement, noting that ongoing hostilities in southern Lebanon had displaced thousands and caused “tragic loss of life,” further exacerbating the situation.

Lebanon has a population of around five million people and is hosting an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees, according to government figures, making it the highest concentration of refugees per capita in the world.

During her visit, Menikdiwela met with Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Beirut who described the terrible living conditions and security concerns.

The UN representative called for “urgent support and commitment from the international community” to meet growing needs and ensure the protection of both refugees and host communities.

Menikdiwela also stressed the need for political support to address the root causes of displacement, including improving conditions in Syria to remove obstacles to refugees' return.

The 13-year-old conflict in Syria has led to millions of people fleeing at home and abroad, with neighboring countries bearing much of the refugee burden.