President of Lebanese Caritas: On the Syrian border there is risk of a humanitarian catastrophe
Beirut (AsiaNews) - "On the Syrian border, the situation is worsening day by day. In the next few weeks we expect new waves of refugees. If action is not taken quickly there is the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe." This is what Fr. Simon Faddoul told AsiaNews; Fr. Simon is the President of Caritas Lebanon, which for days has been welcoming, caring for and feeding thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing the war.
The conflict between rebels and the Syrian regime, underway since March 2011, has involved the major cities of Syria, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The wave of refugees in recent months has headed towards the Turkish border, more accessible from a logistical point of view. Due to the escalation of violence in the cities of Homs and Daraa, since March 4 fugitives have begun to cross the Lebanese border, characterized by high mountain peaks.
"To date, there are over 300 families that have crossed the border. The majority are women and children." The priest said that many of them have walked for several days, arriving on foot from Homs, Daraa and other areas of the country, braving the cold and the mountainous paths of the Bekaa Valley, where in recent days the temperature has fallen to several degrees below zero.
"Their condition is severe", he says, "there are many sick people. To walk faster the families brought with them only the clothes on their backs. The children are traumatized, many are not speaking. Women are scared and fear for the condition of their husbands and sons who have stayed in Syria to defend their homes."
Fr. Faddul explains that Caritas has been the first organization to help the refugees and these days is working with other local and international humanitarian agencies, which however are struggling to reach the border areas. The destruction of the bridge over the Orontes River, on the road linking Lebanon to Syria, is forcing the refugees to find alternative routes and has forced Caritas to multiply the first aid points, many of which are in high mountain areas accessible only on foot or by jeep.
"So far", he says, "we have 25 volunteers coordinated by two humanitarian workers, but they are not enough. Resources are scarce and we have asked for support from Caritas International, the municipalities of the valley and other international organizations."
Since March 4 Caritas volunteers have distributed over 500 blankets and several tons of food and basic necessities, helping refugees to contact relatives in Lebanon and families able to host them. However, Fr. Faddul stresses that the situation is critical and there is a desperate need of aid, particularly medicine and clothing.
The priest is inviting associations, international organizations and private individuals to support the Syrian families who are victims of the war: "In the coming weeks the number of refugees could increase and the Caritas volunteers will no longer be able to handle the emergency on their own." (S.C.)
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01/08/2017 11:12
