Lebanon launches plan to cope with Syrian refugee crisis

 Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed hope on Monday in the newly drafted response plan to the Syrian refugee crisis.
He believes the plan could be a "tangible roadmap that would allow donors to focus on precise sectors to raise enough funds to make the necessary difference," more than simply an "alert."
"This document is the fruit of joint efforts between the UNDP, the United Nations family in Lebanon and the concerned ministries, especially the team from the Ministry of Social Affairs led by Minister Rashid Derbas," he said.
He also noted that "the aim of this plan is to determine what should be done to confront the negative impact of the multifaceted situation that we are facing due to the Syrian crisis."
Salam said that, according to damage assessment and short-term risks, the requirements are substantial and the financial scope is not enough," adding that "what aggravated matters is the new decision of the World Food Program to cease aid distribution."
He noted that "time is not on our side as we face increased attacks by terrorist extremists."
He urged that "genuine efforts shall start immediately, in order to wake the international community up so that it would assume its ethical and political duties towards Lebanon and the innocent victims of the Syrian crisis."
According to the latest figures from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon hosts over 1.2 million displaced Syrians due to the Syrian crisis. The number of refugees represents nearly one third of Lebanon's population.
Earlier this month, the World Food Program announced that it would stop distribution of the monthly food aid coupons to displaced Syrians.