FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2024
PRESS CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
IRAP CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANESE CIVILIANS, DISPLACED PEOPLE, AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS, CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE
(New York, NY) – In response to the escalation of violence by Israel against Hezbollah, including the bombardment of densely populated residential areas, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) calls for a ceasefire and the upholding of international law.
The following is a statement from Sharif Aly, IRAP’s President:
“As a refugee rights organization with staff, partners, and clients around the globe, including in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East, we condemn the recent intensification of Israeli attacks that have killed hundreds, injured thousands, and displaced tens of thousands of civilians, including many Syrian and other refugees, who are now forced to flee once again. The increase in violence is exacerbating an already dire displacement and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and the entire region. We urgently call for an immediate ceasefire and respect for international human rights law from all parties.
We also urge all emergency shelters and services in Lebanon to be accessible to refugees and other displaced people, regardless of nationality, to avoid further marginalizing this already-vulnerable population. IRAP’s work is centered in the belief that no one should be driven from their home, and that anyone who is forced to flee should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there. While our immediate priority is to ensure the safety of our staff in the area, we plan to continue our work in support of all people seeking safety in Lebanon and beyond. The escalating violence imperils that mission, as well as the lives of our clients, staff, and other civilians, and must end immediately.”
Background on the recent attacks, the displacement crisis, and IRAP’s work in Lebanon:
- UNHCR reports that two of their staff members were among the more than 550 people killed in Lebanon by Israeli strikes on September 23, 2024.
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since September 19, 2024, exacerbating an existing displacement and economic crisis in Lebanon and compounding the broader displacement and humanitarian crisis in the region.
- There are an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees and some 11,238 refugees of other nationalities currently living in Lebanon. The UNHCR reports that 90% of refugees in Lebanon already struggle with basic needs: 95% are food insecure, 37% of children are out of school, and 84% struggle to access basic medication.
- In a September 27, 2024 press conference, UNHCR officials announced that at least 30,000 people have crossed the border from Lebanon to Syria to escape the violence. Most are refugees who previously fled the civil war in Syria and may still be at risk of persecution.
- At this time, IRAP Lebanon office staff are safe and plan to continue their work. They are currently reaching out to our clients in heavily targeted areas of the country to assess their most urgent needs and provide information and resources.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
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