7 years has passed since the conflict in Syria started. About 5.3 million Syrian refugees are residing in the neighbouring countries including Lebanon where over 1.5 million refugees are living. (*1)
Furthermore, about 30,000 Palestinian refugees have flowed in from Syria. (*2) Before the conflict started, Lebanon had already hosted over 400,000 Palestinian refugees, which consists of around 10% of the population of Lebanon. With 4.4 million Lebanese population, the refugee issues have been becoming a big burden on a small Lebanese soil.
Many refugee camps are scattering all over Lebanon. Syrian refugees who are facing difficulty with having regular incomes can usually be found at these camps. 90.2% of the Syrian refugees in Zahale in Beqaa province where PARCIC is implementing projects are living lives at below poverty level. (*3)
In the December 2016 – February 2017 Parcic assisted over 600 families of Syrian refugees with winterization assistance in Beqaa and Mountain Lebanon Province.
In this following year, during the period between December 2017 and February 2018, Parcic implements winterization support in the same Zahale, Beqaa province. The support, including distribution of basic food baskets and kerosene for heating, reaches to 331 families.
Snow falls in the area in winter and the temperature drops below zero. The refugees who are living in tent are exposed to severe cold weather. What’s worse, many of them do not have enough items such as warm clothes and food to survive.
The harsh winter is difficult enough for adults to survive. And the lives of children and elderly people who are more vulnerable are put in danger. With PARCIC’s distribution of food and kerosene to these vulnerable people, they look grateful to our thoughtful support.
*1 Regional Refugee Response 2018-2019（as of Dec 1 2017）
*2 Lebanon Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 29 | 1 August – 31 October 2017 （OCHA）
*3 Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (VASyR) 2017 P.60 P.118
These projects have been funded by Japan Platform.
Arsal is located in the Baalbek / Al Hirmil provice at the altitude of 1,550 meters. Right now Arsal is going through the coldest time of the year.
About 439 households of Syrian refugees live in the four camps in Arsal. They are not receiving enough supports until now. Sadly, they can not even afford to buy kerosene to keep them warm. The only means to keep them warm is to stay in the tent and sit tight until any support is provided.
One of the leaders of the camp plead in tears. “We don’t need anything but kerosene, we are desperate for kerosene.”
Please make an emergent donation for those people who are not receiving any winter support, yet and living in the harshest condition in this cold weather.
