About 235,000 people fled Lebanon to Syria – IOM
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.N. International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday that approximately 235,000 people fled Lebanon to Syria.
Mathieu Luciano, the Head of the IOM in Lebanon, said citing Lebanese authorities that about 235,000 people, including 82,000 Lebanese and 152,000 Syrians, crossed into Syria between Sep. 21 and Oct. 3.
Luciano added that thousands of Lebanese and Syrians are leaving the country, both legally and illegally.
Meanwhile, UNHCR, the U.N. Refugee Agency said that over 185,000 people, predominantly Syrians and Lebanese, have fled to Syria, according to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).
UNHCR added that estimates by the Lebanese Government indicate around 1 million individuals have sought refuge inside the country.
Additionally, Israeli airstrikes targeted the road in the no-man’s land at the Masnaa border crossing, stopping traffic and effectively closing this route for vehicles. Some people have resorted to crossing on foot, according to UNHCR.
Lebanon is facing an increasing number of displaced individuals, leading to nearly full capacity in the 892 makeshift shelters set up by the government, the U.N. Refugee Agency added.
About 60 percent of the new arrivals are children and teenagers. Some of these children have come without any family members, the Agency pointed out.