The most vulnerable civilians fleeing the Lebanon conflict into
Syria will be provided with life-saving emergency assistance and
healthcare, as the UK boosts its humanitarian support with a £3
million package.
Taking refuge from the escalating conflict, more than 400,000
people – over half of whom are women and children – are estimated
by the UN to have been displaced from Lebanon into Syria since
September. The majority of those who have been displaced are
Syrians, who initially fled to Lebanon after the Syrian civil war
which began in 2014.
The UK funding will help trusted aid organisations to deliver
immediate healthcare at border crossings, including trauma and
injury support, as well as targeted protection assistance for
women and girls.
Minister for Development said:
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon and the wider Middle East
is extremely concerning. It is critical that vulnerable civilians
fleeing the conflict in Lebanon are given safe passage, and for
their lives to be protected.
Today's package of emergency assistance will provide support to
those most in need as they continue to risk their lives to make
this dangerous journey.
Of the £3 million in funding, £2 million has been allocated to
the UN OCHA led Syria Humanitarian Fund, with £500,000 given to
both the International Medical Corps UK and UNFPA.
International Medical Corps UK Country Director Wafaa Sadek said:
This new contribution builds on the generous support from the
FCDO, helping the International Medical Corps to deliver
essential healthcare and humanitarian aid to people crossing from
Lebanon into Syria.
Thanks to FCDO funding, International Medical Corps has already
deployed three Mobile Medical Teams to address the growing
needs—one serving Damascus and Rural Damascus, another covering
Latakia and Tartous, and a third focusing on Hama and Homs
governorates.
This announcement follows more than £4 billion of funding that
the UK has contributed since 2011 in lifesaving and
life-sustaining assistance for the victims of the crisis in Syria
- its largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis.
In Lebanon, we have already announced £10 million of aid to
respond to a widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to
clean water, hygiene and healthcare. This is in addition to £5
million already provided to UNICEF. The government is also
supporting the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal, with the
government aid matching up to £10 million raised by the
public.
The UK is clear that a wider regional conflict must be avoided at
all costs and is committed to working with partners to secure a
ceasefire on all sides.
Notes to Editors:
- Today's allocation of funding comes from the UK's annual
Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) package for Syria, which is
totalled at £97m for FY 24-25.
- In addition, £6m will be released from the Central Emergency
Response Fund (CERF) – to which the UK contributes centrally and
is a leading donor– for the UN response to new arrivals from
Lebanon in Syria.
- Syria remains an unsafe destination for vulnerable people,
including Syrian refugees, who should only return to Syria
voluntarily in a safe and dignified manner.
-
UK
commits additional £10 million of aid to Lebanon - GOV.UK
