Violence hampers UNHCR's assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon
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A Syrian family being registered as refugees in Halba, northern Lebanon – UNHCR/F.Juez
Insecurity in Lebanon is affecting the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in assisting Syrians who have fled to that country.
UNHCR says it had to temporarily close its newly established registration centre in Tripoli on Friday as a result of clashes between rival groups in that Lebanese city.
Spokesman Adrian Edwards reports that fewer Syrians are turning up to register and appointments for those in affected areas have been rescheduled.
"In the Bekaa (valley), registration of refugees is also affected by security concerns in the wake of kidnappings of Syrians. As a protection measure for the refugees, we are avoiding large gatherings of Syrians at registration and distribution points."
More than 50,000 Syrian refugees are registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, and people continue to arrive, particularly from the cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Dara'a.
Duration: 15″
