NNA - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomed the visit of His Excellency Ambassador Geon Gyusuk of the Republic of Korea, together with Her Excellency Dr. Haneen Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs, to a government-designated collective shelter in Beirut on 29 April. The delegation met with families who had been forced to flee areas under attack and evacuation orders and found shelter in Beirut and saw examples of UNHCR's contribution to the Government-led emergency response, delivered to displaced thanks to the generous support provided by the Republic of Korea.
"Today's visit is a reminder that behind every displacement figure is a family that has lost safety, stability, and a sense of home. The Government of Lebanon remains fully engaged in coordinating the emergency response and ensuring that displaced families receive protection, shelter, and essential assistance with dignity", said H.E. Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Haneen Sayed. She added: "We deeply value the Republic of Korea's timely support, which is helping improve living conditions in collective shelters at a critical moment. We also value UNHCR's continued support to the Government-led response and in shelter management. Continued international partnership is essential as insecurity and damage continue to prevent many families from returning safely and with dignity."
The visit took place at Madame Baayni School, currently hosting 485 internally displaced people (IDPs) where assistance funded by the Republic of Korea has been provided to displaced families. With about one million people displaced since the renewed escalation in early March, collective shelters have become a safe haven for those with nowhere else to go.
"At a time when so many families have been forced to flee their homes, often with little more than what they could carry, we are deeply grateful for the Republic of Korea's timely support," said Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon. "This contribution is helping UNHCR respond to urgent needs while improving living conditions in the shelters, providing displaced families with a greater sense of safety, privacy and stability at a time of profound uncertainty."
During the visit, the delegation met with displaced families who shared their experiences fleeing in the middle of the night with little to no belongings, the loss of homes and jobs, and uncertainty about their return. Many families described a reliance on humanitarian assistance to meet their most immediate and basic needs, including shelter, bedding, and essential household items.
"The Republic of Korea stands with Lebanon and with the Lebanese people who have been forced to leave their homes in and seek safety for their families. This contribution reflects Korea's sincere support for the resilience of the Lebanese people. It is offered with respect, with empathy, and with the hope that it will help ease some of the immediate burden carried by those affected." said Ambassador Geon.
The Republic of Korea's contribution is supporting UNHCR's emergency shelter response, enabling the rapid distribution of core relief items such as mattresses, blankets, and hygiene kits, as well as the rehabilitation of collective shelters to improve living conditions. This includes light repairs, installation of partitions to enhance privacy, and improvements to water and sanitation facilities to better accommodate large numbers of displaced people.
Ongoing insecurity, damage to houses and critical infrastructure, and access constraints continue to pose fundamental obstacles to displaced people's ability to return in safety and dignity to their homes, prolonging their displacement and reliance on humanitarian support.
Continued and expanded support to the Government-led emergency response is therefore critical, to ensure displaced people can access protection, shelter and essential services, and preserve their safety and dignity amidst the continued uncertainty. UNHCR remains committed to contributing to this collective effort, and thanks the Republic of Korea and other Government and private sector partners for the invaluable support provided during this critical time for Lebanon.
