Attachments
Situation Overview
• UNHCR and partners are aware of at least 4,000 Lebanese individuals who arrived through various points including the Al-Qaim border crossing and airports in Baghdad and Najaf.1 It includes 686 Lebanese citizens who arrived in Iraq on 03 October through Al-Qaim border crossing.
• A significant number of these individuals are now in Najaf and Karbala. In Najaf, 69% of the population are women and children.
• On the other hand, the Ministry of Interior reported on 2nd October that nearly 5,000 Lebanese citizens have arrived in Iraq since 24 September.
• Currently, the Government of Iraq has instructed that only government authorities and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) are allowed direct access to the border entry area and reception centre at Al-Qaim.
• At Al-Qaim border crossing, Lebanese individuals are sometimes having to wait overnight before taking buses to Karbala, Najaf and Baghdad especially given safety concerns around travelling at night. As reported by IOM, the head of the border point has indicated that those staying at the border suffer from a lack of food and water, as well as essential needs for staying overnight.
• At the holy shrines in Najaf and Karbala, private entities have arranged accommodations for the new arrivals in local hotels, which UNHCR and its partners do not have access to. UNHCR continues to advocate for access to these Lebanese arrivals to gather insight on their situation.
• In Najaf, Lebanese arrivals, including pregnant women and children, are able to access the government primary health clinic although given the increase in population, services are stretched with additional needs reported by medical staff.
• Lebanese individuals also continue to arrive to Iraq through Baghdad and Najaf airports