Attachments
A total of approximately 425,000(1) people (both Lebanese and Syrians) are estimated
to have crossed from Lebanon to Syria since the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon.
It is estimated that around 72 per cent are Syrians and 28 per cent are Lebanese nationals.
Figures now encompass those identified by the relevant authorities as having left Lebanon and entered Syria. The new arrivals figure therefore goes beyond the initial estimations at official crossing points, which was the basis of earlier reports by SARC.
Overview of Developments
- On 20 October, UNHCR’s Representative and Emergency Coordinator visited Aleppo to meet with several families – Syrian and Lebanese – that had recently crossed into Syria from Lebanon to see their general living conditions, listen to their experiences and their immediate needs. They also met with the Governor of Aleppo and with SARC Aleppo branch to discuss updates on the current response.
- On 19 October, UNHCR’s Health team met with the Directorate of Health in Al-Hasakeh to assess the response to the influx from Lebanon. It was agreed that the Directorate would dispatch mobile clinics to areas where new arrivals are residing to address their health needs.
- The Health team is also coordinating with the UNHCR-supported community centres in Al-Hasakeh and Tawarij, through partners, the Syrian Society for Social Development and Syria Al-Yamama, to map areas with high new arrival presence to evaluate their urgent needs, which will also be shared with the Directorate of Health for further support.
- Free transportation provided at the borders is ongoing to support extremely vulnerable families arriving from Lebanon. Since the onset of the influx, some 32,000 new arrivals were provided with transportation to help them reach Jdaidet Yabous from the crater in Masnaa (Lebanon), and to their final destinations inside Syria.
- As of 19 October, at least 35,000 new arrivals across Syria have benefited from core relief items and community-based services. UNHCR and its partners continue to identify new arrivals within the host communities to ensure that they are provided with essential services and assistance.
- UNHCR distribution of winter items is already underway, and this will accelerate and intensify in the coming weeks.
(1) The numbers of new arrivals in this document are based on “SARC Emergency Response For Lebanese Refugees and Syrian Returnees” (issued 21 October). Figures are undergoing verification and are subject to change.