World Vision welcomes £50m UK support to Lebanon as refugee numbers soar

Today the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development announced that that the UK will allocate £50 million to help both Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Lebanese people affected by the crisis. 

Justine Greening made the pledge while touring a World Vision food distribution centre for refugees in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon.

Anita Delhaas-van Dijk, National Director of World Vision Lebanon, said: "This isn't just the Syria crisis; it's a regional crisis. We hear daily stories of heartache not only from refugees, but increasingly from Lebanese people themselves.

"Tensions are bubbling over and communities are at breaking point here in Lebanon. Health services are over-stretched, school class sizes have doubled, rents are soaring and wages are plummeting.

"We welcome today's announcement by the British Government as a step towards addressing this. We call for the funding to support children who, as ever, are at most risk of violence.”

The announcement coincides with the launch of a World Vision report on Monday, which describes the unbearable pressure communities in Lebanon are facing as the Syria crisis deteriorates.