UN: Lebanon in immense need of support due to Syrian refugee influx

Lebanon, which hosts the bulk of Syrian refugees who have fled the violence in their country, is in immense need of financial support, said two UN officials, who commended Kuwait's hosting of international donors for the cause, due Wednesday. Lebanon is currently accommodating around 870,000 Syrian refugees on its lands, said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokeswoman Joelle Eid, who pinpointed their needs as being in education, health and food. The UNHCR along with over 60 international organisations are working in unison with Lebanese authorities to provide relief to these refugees, she added. She commended Kuwait's efforts on the matter as "huge," as the country is hosting the second consecutive pledging conference for internally displaced and refugee Syrians. The UNHCR spokeswoman also expressed hope that the conference, attended by some 69 nations, provides a step forward in improving the living conditions of these refugees, especially after international NGOs pledged a collective sum of USD 400 million aimed at those displaced inside and outside of Syria. For her part, UNESCO communications officer Soha Boustani said that the upcoming conference "stresses the urgent need to support international response efforts (Syrian Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan, or SHARP) aimed at relief for the Syrian people. "Kuwait is an important partner, not only for the time being but also for the future, and this demonstrates the international community's respect of this nation," she said. She regarded Kuwait "a leading example" for the Arab and wider international communities, whom she suggested should all practice steps in the same direction and bear responsibility for this humanitarian catastrophe. "This conference will also allow the world to see the magnitude of the refugee problem through its various aspects," she said, whereby 5.5 million children have been affected by the fighting. UNICEF's Regional Response Plan IV (RRP6) aims to raise support from the Kuwait conference worth USD 250 million, she said, explaining that this amount is intended to ensure the needs of 1.5 million Syrians and Palestinians who have fled from Syria to neighbouring Lebanon. The amount will secure the needs of non-formal education for 175,000 children and formal education for 50,000 - this alone requires USD 183 million, she underlined