Displaced
Lebanese in Syria began packing their belongings as soon as
the United Nations-sponsored cessation of hostilities went into
effect at 08:00 local time on Monday 14 August 2006. If the
trend continues at its current pace, most of the 160,000 Lebanese
evacuees will be back home within a few days.
The cease-fire was only hours old when hundreds of cars began
leaving Syria to return to Lebanon via four border crossing
points. Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARCS) volunteers
were present at all crossing points. The same volunteers who
had been giving water, snacks and providing psychological support
and first aid services to Lebanese civilians fleeing the bombing
of their country a few days ago, were now doing the same thing.
But they had to change sides as people were heading in the other
direction.
The busiest border crossing was Jdaideh, which is closest to
Beirut. At around midday on 14 August, nearly 200 cars were
passing through the Jdaideh crossing every hour and heading
into Beirut, a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the west.
Tuesday, 15 August, was an even busier day. By 11:00 hours,
nearly 7,000 people had returned to Lebanon through Jdaideh,
according to UN estimates. Hours later, thousands more poured
through the border. According to a United Nations High Commissioner
of Refugees survey, nearly 1,500 people were crossing the border
every hour by Tuesday afternoon.
“Although I know Beirut’s southern suburb has been
totally destroyed, I want to see my house and neighbours,”
said Faisal, 25, who had been taken in, with 14 members of his
family, by a Syrian host family for a month. “The people
of Syria have been very generous. But it is time to go home.”
Nadia, a 26-year-old SARCS volunteer who normally works as an
employee in the “free zone” between the two countries,
asked to take some days off to assist refugees. In a gesture
of solidarity by the private sector, she and other staff were
allowed to take some days off. “I have been spending at
least 14 hours a day here since 15 July,” said Nadia as
she was taking a quick break from organizing the operation.
“People going back today have become my family. My feelings
are mixed. I am happy for them because they are going back to
their homes. But I am also sad because I might never see them
again.”
Cooperation among the various components of the Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement, as well as with the private sector and UN
agencies, has been smooth despite the very short notice. The
Kuwaiti Red Crescent invited returnees to board buses going
to Beirut at no cost. “Yesterday we sent 10 buses,”
said Msa’ed Al-Anezi, director of volunteers at the Kuwaiti
Red Crescent who also heads his National Society’s delegation
in Syria. “In addition to giving blankets and food parcels,
today we are sending 20 more buses.”
The goods distributed to returnees by SARCS volunteers come
from different sources. The World Food Programme provided high
protein biscuits, UNHCR provided water and bread, and UNICEF
provided oral rehydration salts. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent
provided first aid and medical care in addition to dozens of
volunteers handing out food and drinks to returnees.
Owned by a private businessman, the “free zone”
had been providing meals to some 500 Palestinians who could
not cross into Syria because they had no travel documents. Palestinians
carrying passports were allowed into Syria with no problems.
Now all were returning to Lebanon including 14 year-old Asma’a
and her family, who had left the Al-Burj Ashamali refugee camp
near Tyre, because of heavy air bombardments. “I don’t
think our house was hit,” Asma’a said, “but
we were really scared.”
The last group of 60 Palestinians heading to their homes in
Lebanon were being helped onto a bus, with their belongings,
by Palestinian Red Crescent Society personnel. “They have
been sleeping in the mosque and the movie theatre of the Free
Zone for nearly a month,” explained Burhan Al-Hammoud,
director of the Free Zone. “We also provided three meals
a day.”
Other companies such as SyriaTel (one of the largest cell phone
companies) provided food, shelter and buses to displaced Lebanese
when they arrived in Syria. They are now providing the same
services to the same people going back home.
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The
cease-fire was only hours old when hundreds of cars began
leaving Syria to return to Lebanon via four border crossing
points. Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society volunteers were
present at all crossing points. The same volunteers who
had been giving water, snacks and providing psychological
support and first aid services to Lebanese civilians fleeing
the bombing of their country a few days ago, were now
doing the same thing.(p14509)
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Displaced
Lebanese in Syria began packing their belongings as soon
as the United Nations-sponsored cessation of hostilities
went into effect at 08:00 local time on Monday 14 August
2006. If the trend continues at its current pace, most
of the 160,000 Lebanese evacuees will be back home within
a few days.
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News
