Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a significant number of people are fleeing Lebanon and heading towards the Syria border in search of safety. This movement marks a stark reversal from the situation a decade ago when Lebanon was hosting over 1.5 million Syrian refugees.
The UN refugee agency has reported a surge in the number of vehicles and individuals making their way to the Lebanon-Syria border. The main highway leading to the border is congested with hundreds of cars, while many people are also arriving on foot, carrying whatever belongings they can manage.
The scenes at the border are distressing, with large crowds, including women, young children, and babies, waiting in line after spending nights outdoors in harsh weather conditions. Some individuals have sustained fresh injuries from recent bombardments, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
UN staff deployed at the border crossings are providing essential supplies such as food, water, blankets, and mattresses to the fleeing refugees. They are also guiding them towards available support services once they reach Syria.
The UNHCR has raised concerns about the escalating displacement crisis, with over 27,000 people forced to abandon their homes in the past 48 hours alone. The agency warns that this number is expected to increase rapidly as the conflict intensifies.
