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Lebanon reports over 400,000 flee to Syria in just two weeks amid escalating conflict

October 8, 2024 at 7:29 pm

Syrians and Lebanese living in Lebanon cross to Syria side with their belongings they could take with them at Masnaa Border Crossing after the Israeli attacks in Massna, Lebanon on October 4, 2024 [Murat Şengül – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanon has reported that over 400,000 people have fled the country to Syria in the past two weeks, as the nation grapples with escalating violence and worsening living conditions. This unprecedented mass exodus marks one of the most significant population movements in the region since the Syrian Civil War.

Officials attribute the surge in emigration to the ongoing political instability, severe economic crisis and deteriorating public services, which have pushed many Lebanese and Syrian refugees living in Lebanon to seek safety across the border. The situation has been compounded by heightened tensions between various armed factions, leading to increased insecurity in several regions, including Beirut, Tripoli and the southern border areas.

Lebanese authorities are struggling to manage the internal turmoil, as protests and clashes have become more frequent amid public dissatisfaction with the government’s inability to address the country’s worsening economic and humanitarian situation. Power cuts, fuel shortages and skyrocketing inflation have added to the already dire conditions, forcing many families to flee in search of a more stable environment.

Humanitarian agencies have expressed growing concerns over the situation, with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe on both sides of the border. “We are witnessing a mass movement of people, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire,” said a UNHCR spokesperson in Beirut. “These families are escaping not only violence but extreme poverty, and we urge the international community to step in and provide urgent assistance.”

Syria, still recovering from over a decade of civil war, is facing its own set of challenges in accommodating the new wave of refugees. The sudden influx has put additional strain on the already fragile infrastructure in Syria’s border regions, which are ill-prepared to handle such large numbers of displaced people. Local Syrian officials have appealed for international aid, emphasizing the need for food, medical supplies and housing to support the refugees.

Lebanon has long been home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations, hosting nearly 1.5 million Syrians who fled the war in their country. However, the mounting socio-economic crisis in Lebanon has made it increasingly difficult for the nation to provide for its population, including the refugees.

As the crisis deepens, regional experts warn that the mass movement of people between Lebanon and Syria could further destabilise the region. International organisations are calling for immediate diplomatic intervention to ease tensions in Lebanon and prevent further displacement.

The situation remains fluid, and humanitarian efforts on both sides of the border are ramping up to provide support to the displaced. However, without significant international aid, the crisis threatens to escalate, creating an even greater challenge for the region.

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