6月20日是难民日。估计有五万八千名难民在15个月叙利亚的动荡期间越境进入黎巴嫩。但不像边境国家约旦、土耳其,黎巴嫩没有如何对待那些已经逃离人们的官方政策。本月,该国有史以来第一个难民营在阿尔萨镇建立。
June 20th is Refugee Day. An estimated fifty-eight thousand refugees have crossed into Lebanon during the 15-month Syria unrest. But unlike border countries of Jordan and Turkey, Lebanon has no official policy on how to deal with those who have fled. This month the country's first ever refugee camp erected in the town of Arsal. CCTV correspondent Stephanie Freid visited the area.
A scenic panorama marking the border between Lebanon and Syria, on closer inspection is that people who came across that border. Syrian refugees in Lebanon's first and only tent camp, but we can't get close because this is private land and it's a sensitive issue.
Tens of thousands of refugees have crossed into Lebanese towns like this. But not wanting to imply permanency, Lebanon's government has not implemented an official housing policy. Taking on 4000 extra residents has created financial and humanitarian conundrums for this town of 40,000
Ali Hojairi, Mayor, Arsal, Lebanon, said, "We cannot contain any more refugees. We've asked donors for more tents—three or four hundred. They're in storage. If necessary we'll start pulling out tents and erect a refugee camp."
Without an organized camp, Syrian refugees rely solely on Lebanese hospitality for shelter and food
CCTV correspondent Stephanie Freid said, "Three Syrian families live inside this dwelling and as you can see, they've put up blankets to cordon off areas. This is a living area and this is the common area. This corner serves as the makeshift kitchen. It's basic and simple but it's all there is for now."
Some family members have been here for two months, others for mere days. This woman arrived from the hard hit Syrian town of Homs two days ago. She spoke of fighting, heavy weaponry and bloodshed. Every person here has lost a neighbor, a friend or a family member to the unrest in Syria. Escape was fraught with danger.
Wazeem, Syrian refugee in Lebanon, said, "It was really hard to cross. We thought we'd be killed all the time because there is a lot of security on the streets and every few hundred meters there's a checkpoint so it was really hard"
Their thoughts are never far from the conflict back home. Dreams are of returning to Syria soon.