Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati launched on Monday the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan for 2022-2023 with Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Najat Rochdi at the Grand Serail.
“Lebanon is “hosting Syrian refugees since more than 11 years. As resources are further depleted due to the economic crisis and the deterioration of the Lebanese lira’s value, we frequently demanded the implementation of justice in distributing support with no discrimination, to widen the development work to include a larger number of towns and villages that host Syrian refugees in order to alleviate their burdens,” Hajjar stressed during the launching ceremony.
“We appeal to you to stand beside Lebanon, its people and government, as well as beside the refugees to meet their urgent demands and to work together to overcome obstacles that hinder their safe return to their country,” he went on saying.
For her part, Rochdi noted that with the ongoing impact of the Syrian crisis and the current economic crisis in Lebanon pushing everyone to the brink, all partners’ joint efforts to support refugees and the host community through the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan remain essential.”
“Nine out of ten Syrians in Lebanon are living in poverty, while poverty rate has increased significantly among the Lebanese, migrants and Palestinians.” She added.
These circumstances are driving negative coping mechanisms, as families are forced to send their children to work instead of school, skip meals or incur debt. It is important that municipalities are supported to keep basic services running amid massive capacity gaps,” Rochdi added.