Africa
LEBANESE Health Minister, Firas Abiad on Wednesday urged the international community to support Lebanon’s refugee communities in fighting against cholera after an increase in the number of cases.
“We call on our international partners to carry out their duties, because caring for the displaced is not among the responsibilities of the host country.
“It is a global duty according to the human rights charter,” Abiad said during a visit to the town of Arsal in northeastern Lebanon, where four cholera cases were recorded at a camp for Syrian refugees.
Abiad also called on international organisations and donors to help Lebanon’s government raise awareness about cholera and the importance of taking precautionary measures.
The Lebanese Prime Minister, representatives from the UNICEF, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and WFP agreed to facilitate the supply of clean water to the camps housing Syrian refugees.
The UN bodies will support sewage and water pumping stations with diesel, especially in the refugee camps in Baalbek, Akkar, Central Bekaa, and West Bekaa, in addition to placing chlorine in all water and pumping stations.
Lebanon’s health ministry announced on Tuesday that the total number of confirmed cases of cholera in Lebanon reached 14, with cases mostly found in Akkar and the Beqaa. (Xinhua/NAN)
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Tags: Firas Abiad UNICEF
