The Parliamentary Committee on Migration and Displacement revealed on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, that the Iraqi government may be forced to build camps for Lebanese displaced people if the current crisis prolongs.
Committee member Mokhtar Al-Moussawi said in a statement to Shia Waves Agency that “there is currently no intention from the Iraqi government to build camps for Lebanese displaced people in any of the Iraqi provinces,” adding that “for now, the displaced people are residing in some Hussainiyas, hotels, and houses, and all necessary needs are being provided for them.”
Al-Moussawi added that “if the number of displaced Lebanese people increases and their stay extends, Iraq will be forced to build special camps for them. This is a natural development, and international organizations, along with the United Nations, will bear the financial costs, in addition to the Iraqi government. This humanitarian issue will be handled jointly between Iraq and the concerned international bodies.”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) earlier noted that it is monitoring the situation of Lebanese displaced people arriving in Iraq, confirming that the number of Lebanese displaced people has reached more than 16,000, and there are also Syrians who have fled from Lebanon to Iraq.
According to a UNHCR report, 16,727 Lebanese people have arrived in Iraq since the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon. They have entered through various points, including the Al-Qaim border crossing (9,552 people) and the airports of Baghdad (6,248) and Najaf (927).
The UNHCR statistics indicate that 62% of the newly arrived Lebanese are women and children, with around 50% of the arriving families being headed by women.
