UN high-level delegation visits Arsal

11 Nov 2016

A high-level UN delegation today visited Arsal in north-eastern Lebanon. The delegation comprised UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Philippe Lazzarini, the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) Representative, Mireille Girard, UNICEF Representative Tanya Chapuisat and World Food Programme (WFP) Representative Dominik Heinrich.

During the visit, the delegation was briefed by local representatives on the humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the area. The delegation also met with refugees, local residents and with some of the NGOs working in the area. In addition, the delegation met with representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces in Labweh.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator underlined the need for additional international support for vulnerable border areas such as Arsal, in particular in light of the approaching winter: “Arsal is one of the many Lebanese municipalities that is generously hosting a large refugee number. With winter fast approaching, our priority is to ensure that people in this isolated and high-altitude area are equipped for the cold and snow that lie ahead. It is clear that there is a need for more support. This is what we are all striving to and this is one of the objectives of our visit today – to draw attention to the situation here.”

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator underlined the commitment of the UN to work with the Government, the municipalities, and international donors in order to meet the needs of both the host community and the refugees: “This year, the UN system and its partners have been able to provide better and more appropriate support to the people in Arsal compared to previous years, thanks to international donors and the continued collaboration with local municipalities and the Government of Lebanon. We will continue to work in partnership so that the needs of the community as a whole can be met.”

 

Media Contacts

  • Beirut – Ms. Dana Sleiman, +961 71 910 626
  • Ms. Lisa Abou Khaled +961 71 880 070