American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) & Amnesty International – 2013-05-05 23:51:43
http://www.anera.org/stories/palestinian-refugees-from-syria-seek-shelter-in-lebanon/
Palestinians from Syria Seek Shelter in Lebanon
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA)
BURJ EL SHAMALI, Lebanon (April 30, 2013) — Fathers, mothers, children, grandparents and relatives lined up quietly at the entrance of Beit Atfal Assumoud community center in the Palestinian refugee camp of Burj El Shamali, near Tyre in southern Lebanon.
They check their names on a paper register on the wall so they can receive vouchers to exchange for groceries, clothing, quilts, hygiene kits and baby kits. For many this is the first sign of help since they arrived in Lebanon after fleeing the conflict in Syria.
So far, ANERA has distributed 8,600 food and clothing vouchers, 5,300 quilts, 5,300 hygiene kits, and 350 baby kits. Social workers organized 10 health awareness sessions.
ANERA is providing emergency relief aid with support from the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other US donors and in coordination with local partner organizations.
With a $250,000 grant from OCHA, ANERA so far has delivered the supplies for more than 1,000 refugees in three Palestinian camps and gatherings around Tyre. ANERA’s relief program includes health awareness on critical issues like proper nutrition during crisis, hygiene, water and sanitation.
Hiba Younes, a mother of four, says she and her husband have spent all their savings since arriving at Burj Al Shemali camp in December. She used the $138 worth of coupons to buy shirts and sandals for her children. “I bought diapers and oil, cheese, sugar, yogurt, eggs, rice, lentils, and milk with the grocery vouchers.”
ANERA’s survey of refugee needs, which was published in March, shows food is the top priority but also the most costly. Two-thirds of those responding to the survey say they cannot provide three meals a day. Six out of ten families interviewed say they are living crammed more than 10 to one room. Many families have no electricity or running water.
More than 40,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria have fled to Lebanon, with some 3,000 refugees arriving each month. Nearly half have sought shelter in Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon. As Palestinians, they are not eligible by UN mandate to receive UNHCR aid. UNRWA, which is responsible for aiding Palestinian refugees, is already overstretched to serve their increasing needs.
A pale middle-aged man looking older than his 50 years, waited patiently with his younger hearing-impaired sister who is waiting to receive clothing and food coupons. “I came here last week and got one grocery and one clothing voucher for each member of my family, a total of ten vouchers,” he explained. The refugee, who gave his name as Ahmed, says he was able to exchange $322 worth of vouchers for enough food to feed his family of five for three to four weeks, along with some basic clothing.
He welcomes the aid and says he is grateful for the kindness of the center’s workers who treat the refugees with dignity and understanding.
For the full ANERA report, go to Palestinian Refugees From Syria in Lebanon.
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) advances the well-being of people in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan. Through partnerships and close consultation with local groups and communities, ANERA responds to economic, health and educational needs with sustainable solutions and also delivers humanitarian aid during emergencies.
Incorporated in 1968 to help ease the suffering of Palestinian refugees after the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, ANERA is non-political and non-religious and is one of the largest American non-profits working solely in the Middle East for 40 years.
Will You Stand by Syrian Refugees?
Sunjeev Bery / Amnesty International USA
As the bloodshed in Syria escalates, desperate refugees are trying to escape the violence. 

In response, Amnesty is increasing our efforts to advocate on behalf of refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries. 


More than 1.3 million Syrian refugees are trying to escape the ongoing bloodshed by fleeing to Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. 

Many refugees attempting to cross into neighboring Turkey have been stopped, leaving people stranded inside Syria in terrible conditions. Credible reports have also emerged of refugees being forced to return to Syria.


In the face of this mounting crisis, Amnesty is pressuring the international community to provide badly needed financial assistance to support the efforts made by Syria’s neighboring countries.


We are also documenting the abuses experienced by civilians who remain in Syria. Our team of researchers on the ground found evidence that government forces bombed entire neighborhoods and targeted residential areas with long-range surface-to-surface missiles. 


Amnesty has a strong track record of using our on-the-ground findings to pressure governments and the United Nations Security Council to hold those responsible for the slaughter of civilians accountable. 


But we can’t do it without your support. We accept no money from governments for our research or advocacy — as it would compromise our efforts.
Sincerely,


Sunjeev Bery,
Advocacy Director,
Middle East North Africa 
Amnesty International USA

