Lebanon hosts over 463,000 Syrian refugees: UN

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-5-13 20:33:22

The number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon soared to over 463,000 following an influx of 10,000 refugees last week, a weekly report of the UN Higher Council for Refugees said on Monday.

The number of registered refugees has reached 360,000, while over 100,000 are still waiting for finalizing their registration process, said the report.

There are currently 144,000 Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon, 128,000 in the Bekaa region, 53,000 in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and 34,000 in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon has been facing mounting difficulties in dealing with the growing number of refugees fleeing Syria's unrest.

The UN Higher Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said the Syrian refugees in Lebanon are more than 10 percent of the country's own population and are a huge burden on the Lebanese government and people.

For his part, the UN Special envoy to Lebanon Derek Plumbly said that the burden of Syrian refugees "is growing, and more resources are needed to give a hand to the refugees and the countries hosting them."


Posted in: Mid-East

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