BEKAA VALLEY, LEBANON: The UAE has opened a refugee camp in Lebanon to shelter 350 Syrian refugees.
Officiating at the opening of the Al Marj camp, UAE Ambassador to Lebanon Hamad Saeed Al Shamsi noted that the recently renovated camp will house 50 Syrian refugee families, or 350 people including 120 children.
The camp includes a small library to provide educational resources and entertainment for 40 to 50 pupils.
Highlighting the importance of education at the opening ceremony, the UAE ambassador said education will combat poverty and terrorism, and assist in raising a generation that can manage their futures.
Al Shamsi added that education is a top priority because it is the best way to combat extremism, while noting that relief and humanitarian efforts will continue in all Lebanese areas hosting Syrian refugees.
Following the opening, attended by Lebanese MP Jamal Al Jarrah, Chairman of the Al Marj Municipality Munawar Al Jarrah, along with representatives of the media, the ambassador toured the camp and spoke with the refugees, pledging to offer help in all emergencies.
Al Jarrah, who joined the ambassador in distributing winter clothing to the children, praised the UAE for the humanitarian initiative, which will have a positive impact on those refugees living in dire conditions. Such assistance, he noted, plays an effective role in easing the suffering of refugees.
He thanked the leadership and people of the UAE for supporting the peoples of Lebanon and Syria in all circumstances, including in times of crisis. (Emirates News Agency, WAM)
