Syrian refugees pouring into Lebanon

July 24, 2012

Thousands of families are leaving Syria to escape the escalating violence there, and pouring into refugee camps in Lebanon, Catholic relief workers report.

More than 47,000 people—predominantly women and children—have sought refuge in tents and makeshift huts near the border, reports Father Simon Faddoul, the head of Caritas Lebanon. Only a small minority of the refugees are Christians; most as Sunni Muslims, leaving homes in the northern provinces where rebels are most active.

To date the Lebanese government has refused to recognize official refugee camps. So Caritas Lebanon is helping the displaced families find temporary shelter and food.

 

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Further information:

• Caritas Lebanon: influx of desperate Syrian refugees (AsiaNews)