Syria prepares 20 shelters for displaced persons from Lebanon

The Syrian government has prepared 20 centers to shelter Lebanese displaced persons and Syrians returning from Lebanon amid escalating Israeli bombings.

The local Al-Watan newspaper reported that the Minister of Local Administration and Environment Louay Khreita, 16 of the centers have already received “arrivals,” while the remaining four are prepared but have yet to host anyone.

Displacement due to Israeli escalation

The recent Israeli bombings in Lebanon, which began on Sept. 21, have driven waves of displaced persons into Syria. Rural Damascus currently hosts the largest concentration of displaced persons, followed by Homs and other provinces.

Many displaced Syrians and Lebanese are staying in residential apartments and hotels, with community initiatives helping accommodate the influx.

400,000 Syrians and Lebanese displaced

According to Syrian officials, approximately 400,000 people have crossed the border, including 163,000 Syrians and 47,000 Lebanese currently in rural Damascus. These numbers reflect the growing humanitarian crisis as families seek refuge from the conflict.

Bassam Saada, head of the Relief and International Organizations Office in Rural Damascus, emphasized the ongoing need for resources to manage the influx.

Opposition-controlled areas receive displaced persons

In addition to areas controlled by the Syrian regime, opposition-controlled regions in northwestern Syria have received approximately 2,700 displaced Syrians, while the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) which is affiliated with the terrorist organization PKK/YPG has accommodated nearly 19,500 as of Oct. 13.

Despite Syria’s ongoing economic challenges, exacerbated by international sanctions and the prolonged conflict, the government has increased its ability to manage the displaced through agencies such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the Syria Trust for Development.