UNHCR says 277,000 crossed from Lebanon into Syria since March
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that escalating hostilities in the region have driven large cross-border movements from Lebanon into Syria, with 277,000 people entering Syria through three official crossings between March 2 and April 12.
In a flash update issued on April 13, the agency said the arrivals include 234,000 Syrians, of whom 67,300 indicated an intention to return permanently, and 43,000 Lebanese nationals, most with family ties in Syria.
According to Syrian authorities cited in the update, the Masnaa–Jdeidat Yabous crossing accounted for around 60 percent of the total entries from Lebanon, followed by al Qaa–Joussieh at 31 percent.
UNHCR identified urgent needs among returnees, including food, shelter, livelihoods, healthcare, education, civil documentation, and mental health and psychosocial support, noting that many have experienced trauma from both the conflict in Syria and recent shelling in Lebanon.
The agency added that it is coordinating with national authorities, OCHA, and humanitarian partners to provide assistance at border points, including transport, relief items, water, legal counselling, and information services.