Refugee Congress Concerned by Escalating Violence in Lebanon

Refugee Congress is deeply distressed by the escalating violence in Lebanon amid intense Israeli airstrikes, and Hezbollah rocketfire into northern Israel. Already, more than 500 people have been killed in Lebanon, including two staff of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as well as a number of Syrian refugees. More than 90,000 people have fled their homes – including Syrians who have now been displaced for a second time. 

We are horrified to see violence escalating in a country that is already experiencing conflict and an economic crisis. As an organization that is built and led by people who have experienced the pain and trauma of forced displacement, we must push back against the magnitude of suffering and lack of humanity we are witnessing right now. 

This violence will continue to drive displacement throughout Lebanon, and it is, tragically, Lebanese civilians who bear the brunt of the conflict. Lebanon is also home to more than 1.3 million Syrian displaced people—the highest number of refugees per capita of any country in the world. Syrian refugees in Lebanon face restricted rights and are finding themselves once again at the center of a violent conflict that they are forced to flee. With Israel to the south and war-torn Syria to the east and north, people displaced by this new wave of violence have few options. 

The immediate humanitarian needs are great, including food and shelter, medical care, and addressing the disruption of education for children. Refugee Congress calls upon the US government to leverage its leadership towards an immediate ceasefire - and we implore all parties to cease the violence and prevent any further escalation and calls on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Lebanon who are caught in the crosshairs. By putting humanity first, we can create a future where compassion prevails over division.

Press Contact: media@refugeecongress.org