Poland helps 800 Syrian refugees in Lebanon

photo - PAP/EPA/JAMAL NASRALLAH

“International assistance in these areas is extremely important, because neighbouring countries are reporting that will they will soon not be able to cope with the influx of refugees from the war-torn country,” director of the PCPM, Wojciech Wilk has told Polish Radio.

According to UN estimates, the number of Syrian refugees currently seeking shelter in Lebanon could exceed 50,000.

Turkey is calling for international assistance after taking in 100,000 refugees.

“We will emphasize that this burden now needs to be shared by the whole international community, not just by Syria’s neighbours,” Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday.

The refugees are flooding into the north of Lebanon mainly from the rebel stronghold of Homs, which is constantly being bombarded by the Syrian army.

The Polish Center for International Aid helps refugees find new, temporary homes.

NGO director Wojciech Wilk says that there are no refugee camps in Lebanon and people must find a place of refuge themselves.

The PCPM has given 800 Syrians money from grants given to it by the Polish government to rent houses in Lebanon.

The Syrians, however, do not get cash in hand, but are given ATM cards, supplied once a month.

Wojciech Wilk says that “northern Lebanon is not a safe area, so riding around in a car carrying hundreds of US dollars would be dangerous”.

UN Security Council meets Thursday to discuss the humanitarian issues resulting from Syria’s 18-month-old conflict. (pg)