One million refugees in Lebanon

Israel’s fight against Hezbollah is hitting the civilian population in Lebanon hard. Millions of people have been displaced – and could come to Europe.

Beirut – After the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, millions of people are apparently on the run. In addition to the country’s residents, people who have fled Syria could also be displaced again. In their search for safe refuge, they could ultimately turn their attention to Europe.

More than a million people are already on the run in Lebanon. This comes from a publication by the United Nations (U.N.) from Monday (September 30th). Between September 17 and 28 alone, eleven health care workers were killed and 10 injured, it said. 37 of a total of 317 health centers had to close due to the fighting; three hospitals where patients were being treated have now been evacuated.

Countless people want to flee Lebanon – including from Israeli air strikes

The aid organization Doctors Without Borders shares this assessment. “The needs are already enormous,” said the head of the organization’s political department, Lara Dovifat, to the WDR. Therefore, local assistance will probably be increased further, Dovifat continued. There is a lack of mattresses, blankets, drinking water and hygiene kits.

According to a report from the broadcaster, these are particularly affected German wave the refugees from Syria. It is estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million Syrians live in Lebanon after fleeing war in their own country. Syrians who are not registered as refugees are not entitled to support and often live in a kind of economic and legal gray area. Lebanon’s native population is only about 5.2 million people. Even before the recent events, tensions between local Lebanese and displaced Syrians had increased due to the economic situation. The once welcome workforce became increasingly unwanted.

Refugees from Lebanon want to go to the EU – Israel’s actions are making the situation extremely difficult

This growing hatred had led to a rapid increase in the number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean. In May of this year, 4,000 Syrians from Lebanon had already landed in Cyprus. In the first quarter of the previous year there were only 78. She wanted to make a deal EU prevent the refugees from making their way to Europe. Lebanon has been promised one billion euros to combat illegal migration. The money should flow to the Lebanese armed forces, but also be used for health, education and social welfare. Despite concerns about the effective distribution of financial aid locally and the procedure itself, the project was implemented.

On Sunday (29 September), the European Commission announced additional humanitarian aid worth ten million euros for the people of Lebanon. “This emergency assistance is intended to address the most urgent needs such as protection, food assistance, shelter and healthcare. The EU stands ready to provide further support by mobilizing all available emergency instruments, including through the use of the Civil Protection Mechanism,” the Commission said in a statement.

Lebanon is not far from Europe – people are already fleeing Israel’s attacks

Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that many of those in need will soon leave the country if the situation continues to deteriorate. Loud Euronews 100,000 Lebanese refugees have already fled to Syria. Lebanon’s Environment Minister, Nasser Yassin, spoke to a reporter at the World of an “unprecedented” situation in the country. “This has never happened before, except in major natural disasters,” Yassin continued.