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.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
Cannes sets lineup with Lanthimos, Coppola and Trump film 'The Apprentice'Maggie Rogers on 'Don't Forget Me,' the album she wrote for a Sunday driveSpaceX launches 4 astronauts to the ISS for a 6April's total solar eclipse promises to be the best yet for experimentsOdysseus: Moon lander tipped over at touchdown, limiting the data it's sendingRussia aborts second attempt to launch a heavyFalter beats former team, leads Pirates over Phillies 5Ancient stone tools found in Ukraine date may be oldest in EuropeMartin Wygod, former health care executive turned successful horse breeder and owner, dies at 84O.J. Simpson still reflects America's racial divides— even in death
2.7036s , 6516.1328125 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise ,Worldly Wonders news portal