ARSAL/BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army distributed over 200 food packages to Syrian refugees and Lebanese nationals residing in areas outside the northeastern border town of Arsal Saturday, as the Egyptian Embassy announced that a shipment of Syrian refugee aid will arrive to Beirut next week.
Saturday’s aid distribution, which was carried out by the Army’s Civil and Military Cooperation branch in partnership with civil society groups and the American Embassy in Beirut, was met with hospitality from Syrian refugees who raised Lebanese flags above their tents.
Food packages were also provided to Arsal locals residing in areas around the town.
Youssef Meshref, the head of the Army’s Civil and Military Cooperation Branch, said that “as long as the Army can cooperate with donors it can provide assistance to residents of remote areas.”
He said that aid distribution will also target the northeastern town of Arsal in the future and not just refugee camps surrounding the town.
The Army’s Civil and Military Cooperation Branch will continue to provide assistance to Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese in partnership with civil society groups, he said.
Soldiers in military uniforms handed out food packages to residents. One image showed noodle packages inside the boxes.
Separately, the Egyptian Embassy in Lebanon Saturday announced that Cairo’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday will send donations to Syrian refugees for three consecutive days on planes flying out from Egypt to Beirut.
The aid packages will consist of medical supplies, food, tents and bed sheets along with other humanitarian supplies.
Syria's four-year war has forced more than 3 million people to flee the country.
The UNHCR says there are more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees registered in Lebanon now. Beirut estimates there are another 500,000 unregistered Syrians in the country.
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