Lebanon (MNN) — Authorities in Lebanon are once again forcing Syrian refugees back into Syria.
The Lebanese military raided homes and detained up to 100 refugees throughout the month. Then, armed forces reportedly drove the refugees across the border, handing them over to the Syrian military in batches.
Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says the Syrian refugee population makes an easy scapegoat.
“Lebanese politicians are deceiving the population by convincing them that all their problems are because of the Syrian refugees in our country,” Melki says.
Lebanon is in one of the world’s most severe and prolonged financial crises. In March, Lebanon switched its currency to dollars to save its failed economy.
This “dollarization” set up another barrier for Syrian refugees in Lebanese society.
“Some of the Syrian refugees receive help from UNHCR [and] they receive that (aid) in U.S. dollars. They can then go to the bank and withdraw around $17 to $23 a month from the ATM,” Melki says.
It’s not a significant amount of money, but “[the average] Lebanese has no access to any U.S. banknotes,” he adds, saying that politicians quickly turn this disparity into ammunition.
“The Lebanese authorities and politicians [say], ‘The Syrian refugees are taking your banknotes; they are creating this downfall in the economy.’”
“We don’t differentiate between refugees and the local population. Hungry people are individuals created in God’s own liking (image), not after any political leader in Syria or a political leader in Lebanon.”
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)
Pray Syrian refugees will place their faith in God as they experience His love through Heart for Lebanon. Learn how you can support Heart for Lebanon’s work here.
“We don’t draw a line between local and refugee people. Hungry people are individuals created in God’s own liking (image), not after any political leader in Syria or a political leader in Lebanon,” Melki says.
“Heart for Lebanon [balances] what we provide to the refugee population and the local host communities in order to help both move from despair to hope in Christ.”
Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.
