The Lebanese army has dropped deliberate bombs on refugee camps where Syrian refugees were living. Now, tens and thousands of people have become refugees once again. IHH came to the aid of refugees who have had their camp sites destroyed.
The clash between armed groups and army forces around Lebanon’s border town Arsal has resulted in nearly 10,000 people to become refugees within Lebanon yet once again.
In Arsal up to 40 Syrian camps were bombed by the Lebanese army, 25 were left in a completely unusable condition while 17 of them were severely damaged.
Within the framework of IHH’s partnership projects with Lebanon’s Igasiyye institution (Union Of Relief And Development Associations Ighathiyye) they sent aid to refugees who are in need and are living in these campsites. However, the aid was rejected in Arsal at Hezbollah’s point.
However, with the intervention of opinion leaders and civil society organizations the entrance of food aid was allowed with the temporary cease-fire. IHH-Igasiyye teams entered and distributed 20, 000 on food packages which contained items such as cheese, olives, milk, pasta to families.
Within the framework of IHH’s partnership with Igasiyye in Lebanons Arsal region, they provide emergency aid, organise Ramadan-Qurbani programs, open water wells in Syrian campsites, run generator projects, supplies and stores projects.
Regarding the recent events that took place, the Igassiyye institution prepared a report stating that thousands of Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens of Lebanon’s Arsal region which include children and females are being threatened.
The report also states that due to the recent conflict and bombardment, 500 Syrian families who are living in campsites which belong to the Igasiyye institution were forced to evacuate. The other 5 campsites which were built by families have also been forced to evacuate and some campsites even have had their people shot dead or injured. The report also states that campsites which were built by Syrian families and a campsite which consisted of 60 tents have been burnt down after the bombardment. It is reported that 1200 families in this region have had no place to seek refuge till now and are trying to sustain a life without anywhere to stay.
The report draws attention to difficulties they are facing in medical terms as well. Rahme hospital which is serving in the region which is owned by the Igasiyye institution states that till now more than 50 injured people have been brought to the hospital. Most of them are women and children.
Another issue highlighted in the report is that most troubled regions that are experiencing this tragedy have had all roads leading to them closed. The report states that thousands of families are deprived of their daily needs, “ Igasiyye institute who delivers humanitarian aid to 5000 families are no longer able to deliver any sort aid. 2000 of these families solely depend on aid which is delivered by the Igasiyee institute.”
The Rahme hospital which is located in Arsal is lacking in many supplies especially medication in these situations. Medical supplies and serum is an extreme necessity. The report states that majority of the patients are children and due to the lack of supplies the patients treatments have came to a halt. Igasiyye institute also called out to the Lebanese government officials and warring parties in the following manner:
1) Immediately stop the war in the region, and restore security and order in the area.
2) Keep residential areas, refugees and medical centres out of the war.
3) Immediately allow the entrance of emergency humanitarian aid and medical supplies, keep all roads open for all humanitarian aid to reach those in need and allow the wounded to be evacuated from the region.
4) Allow all roads to be open so NGO and other aid agencies can help Arsal. Immediately after the roads are open allow the delivery of aid.