![[Syria] Lebanese family arrives in Syria. [Date picture taken: 07/16/2006]](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/200671723.jpg.webp?itok=HLeDNiiu "Lebanese families continue to arrive in Syria.")
A blood drive was launched in Syria on Monday, with residents of the capital receiving text messages from private mobile-phone operators urging them to donate blood for Lebanese victims of ongoing Israeli air assaults.
“Donating blood to the Lebanese is the least I can offer them in these difficult times,” said Damascus resident Samar Samman.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health – which organised the campaign in cooperation with the Syrian Red Crescent – sent several tons of medical and nutritional aid to Lebanese victims of recent Israeli military aggression. The assistance was dispatched via the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council, which is responsible for overseeing bilateral activity.
Since Israel began launching attacks against Lebanese targets on 12 July, Damascus has adopted a series of measures in support of its besieged neighbour. Syrian maritime ports and airports, for example, were reportedly put at the disposal of the Lebanese government in hopes of easing the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
The government also instructed all official agencies to facilitate entry procedures at the borders for Lebanese nationals hoping to flee the violence into Syria. According to reports, hundreds of Lebanese have flocked to Syria in the past five days, jamming border crossings and filling local hotels to capacity.
Sherif, an Australian national of Lebanese origin who did not wish to give his full name, said he faced no problem at the border when crossing into Syria from Lebanon. “The Syrians were extremely polite to us,” he said. This in contradiction to recent tough measures imposed for Lebanese wanting to cross into Syria, due to the political situation.
Lebanese national Majeda Sbaei, who hopes to stay at her aunt's house in Damascus, also praised the Syrian gesture at the border. “We didn’t see any harassment by Syrians when Syrian-Lebanese relations were at their worst last year,” she said. “So it's unlikely – and extremely unexpected – that they would treat us badly now, at this crucial time.”
Relations between the two nations plummeted after last year's assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese continue to blame on Syria. Damascus, however, has consistently denied any involvement.
According to a source at the Syrian customs department on the border, some 90,000 Arab, Lebanese and other travellers have crossed into Syria within the past five days. On Sunday alone, he said, approximately 20,000 people entered the country. In an indication of the rising demand for transportation, the cost of a bus ticket from Lebanon to Syria has shot up from the equivalent of US $15 to about US $125.
Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Deyalla al-Haj Aref said that Syria had received 250 Lebanese families on Monday, most of whom were transferred to shelters run by the ministry. The government has also set up special centres at the border, al-Haj Aref added, equipped to receive “whoever comes from Lebanon”.
Monday also witnessed a massive show of popular support for the Lebanese people, with Syrians demonstrating in numerous marches organised by the Farmers’ Union, the Students’ Union and various political parties, among others. In the capital, tens of thousands of Syrians loudly proclaimed their loyalties to President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
“I adore Nasrallah. He’s the symbol of resistance and Arab dignity,” said Diala Fares, a 20-year-old university student, carrying a massive portrait of the resistance leader. She added: “Our houses are open to the Lebanese. We’re relatives – there’s no difference between us.”
AA/AR/AM
“Donating blood to the Lebanese is the least I can offer them in these difficult times,” said Damascus resident Samar Samman.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health – which organised the campaign in cooperation with the Syrian Red Crescent – sent several tons of medical and nutritional aid to Lebanese victims of recent Israeli military aggression. The assistance was dispatched via the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council, which is responsible for overseeing bilateral activity.
Since Israel began launching attacks against Lebanese targets on 12 July, Damascus has adopted a series of measures in support of its besieged neighbour. Syrian maritime ports and airports, for example, were reportedly put at the disposal of the Lebanese government in hopes of easing the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
The government also instructed all official agencies to facilitate entry procedures at the borders for Lebanese nationals hoping to flee the violence into Syria. According to reports, hundreds of Lebanese have flocked to Syria in the past five days, jamming border crossings and filling local hotels to capacity.
Sherif, an Australian national of Lebanese origin who did not wish to give his full name, said he faced no problem at the border when crossing into Syria from Lebanon. “The Syrians were extremely polite to us,” he said. This in contradiction to recent tough measures imposed for Lebanese wanting to cross into Syria, due to the political situation.
Lebanese national Majeda Sbaei, who hopes to stay at her aunt's house in Damascus, also praised the Syrian gesture at the border. “We didn’t see any harassment by Syrians when Syrian-Lebanese relations were at their worst last year,” she said. “So it's unlikely – and extremely unexpected – that they would treat us badly now, at this crucial time.”
Relations between the two nations plummeted after last year's assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese continue to blame on Syria. Damascus, however, has consistently denied any involvement.
According to a source at the Syrian customs department on the border, some 90,000 Arab, Lebanese and other travellers have crossed into Syria within the past five days. On Sunday alone, he said, approximately 20,000 people entered the country. In an indication of the rising demand for transportation, the cost of a bus ticket from Lebanon to Syria has shot up from the equivalent of US $15 to about US $125.
Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Deyalla al-Haj Aref said that Syria had received 250 Lebanese families on Monday, most of whom were transferred to shelters run by the ministry. The government has also set up special centres at the border, al-Haj Aref added, equipped to receive “whoever comes from Lebanon”.
Monday also witnessed a massive show of popular support for the Lebanese people, with Syrians demonstrating in numerous marches organised by the Farmers’ Union, the Students’ Union and various political parties, among others. In the capital, tens of thousands of Syrians loudly proclaimed their loyalties to President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
“I adore Nasrallah. He’s the symbol of resistance and Arab dignity,” said Diala Fares, a 20-year-old university student, carrying a massive portrait of the resistance leader. She added: “Our houses are open to the Lebanese. We’re relatives – there’s no difference between us.”
AA/AR/AM
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
Share this article
