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Add to Preferred SourcesAs Lebanon confronts the devastating toll of the explosion that ripped through the heart of the country’s capital on 4 August, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is directing emergency assistance to those worst-affected by the deadly blast.
The tragedy in Beirut has so far left more than 178 people dead or missing, injured thousands, and destroyed or damaged the homes of some 300,000 residents. Given the indiscriminate nature of the destruction, UNHCR is channeling resources and assistance to where they are most needed.
The agency is mobilizing US$35 million for its emergency response to the most vulnerable Lebanese, refugee, and migrant households in the capital, focusing on shelter and protection needs over the coming months.
UNHCR’s aid stockpile in the country was not affected by the explosion and includes shelter kits, blankets, plastic sheeting, mattresses, rub halls, and several other critical items that have been made available to the Lebanese Red Cross and other partners on the ground.
The explosion has also claimed the lives of a number of refugees, with 13 confirmed refugee victims so far and 69 still unaccounted for. A further 224 refugees were among the thousands injured.
The small Middle Eastern nation is one of the world’s largest refugee hosts by share of the total population, with more than 900,000 registered refugees from Syria and other countries, in addition to Palestinian refugees, out of a total population of less than 7 million.
Original source: UNHCR