Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise
Time:2024-05-22 11:19:19 Source:healthViews(143)
BRUSSELS (AP) — The number of Syrian refugees leaving Lebanon is likely to keep rising, the head of a top international agency working with migrants warned Tuesday, as pressure builds due to their arrival on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration, said that around 3,000 Syrians have left Lebanon since January, compared to 4,500 for the whole of last year. Many of them have headed to Cyprus, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) away.
In response, Cyprus suspended the processing of asylum applications by Syrian nationals earlier this month due to the large numbers. Cypriot authorities have reportedly dispatched police patrol vessels just outside Lebanese territorial waters to thwart refugee boats trying to head to Cyprus.
Pope told The Associated Press that governments are cutting aid funding to agencies working with people who have fled Syria, which has been ravaged by civil war for over 13 years, and that this is making things worse. At the same time, some Lebanese communities are getting tired of hosting them.
Previous:It's so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees
Next:Fake elector case: Former Arizona GOP chair Kelli Ward and others set to be arraigned
You may also like
- Brewers right
- Kolkata cruises to IPL final with a thumping win over Hyderabad
- Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders to miss most of '24 season after tearing an Achilles tendon
- Drew Faurot's 2 doubles and a homer lead Florida State past Georgia Tech 12
- Your blood will boil! People share the mildly infuriating things that ruined their days
- Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders to miss most of '24 season after tearing an Achilles tendon
- Analysis: Bryson DeChambeau doesn't win the PGA trophy, but he does win the crowd
- Buxton homers twice, Ryan works 7 scoreless innings as Twins end 7
- French Olympic fencer Thibus says she has been cleared of any wrongdoing after abnormal doping test