Hezbollah MP urges gov to expedite spending on displaced citizens
MP Hussein Hajj Hassan affirms that funds are available to accommodate all displaced persons but are not being utilized.
Member of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, urged the Lebanese government to expedite spending on displaced families, saying no other priority tops that of the refugees.
Speaking at a press conference about the displaced persons' file amid the Israeli war on Lebanon, Hajj Hassan affirmed that government expenditures to accommodate and aid the displaced were insufficient and disproportionate to the severity of the crisis, adding that the necessary funds do exist in the treasury.
In this context, the MP revealed that the number of displaced people in Baalbek-Hermel was nearing 60,000, and is being updated daily, noting that the reformation of a crisis committee in the region was one of the topics discussed in the parliament, along with securing a safe location for it.
He also expressed gratitude and thanked all political, religious, municipal, and social references across Lebanon's regions for showcasing national cooperation and unity when handling the displacement crisis, despite its extremity and implications.
Hajj Hassan also extended his greetings to the Union of Municipalities of Deir al-Ahmar and its people, as well as Ras Baalbek, al-Qaa, Hadath Baalbek, Aarsal, and several villages that welcomed the displaced from Baalbek.
This came after ministers and representatives from the Baalbek-Hermel region held a meeting today in the parliament with the region's Governor Bashir Khodor and several concerned parties, during which they discussed the issue of displacement.
The legal, moral responsibility to the displaced: Parliament statement
A few days ago, a meeting was held for representatives of parliamentary blocs to explore the issue of displacement.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the representatives emphasized that "the reality of displacement resulting from the Israeli aggression is a national issue that concerns everyone and requires a collective approach, along with the necessary tasks based on the principles of national solidarity that have been demonstrated through the commendable support provided in all Lebanese regions that welcomed the displaced and showcased a strong sense of national belonging."
The statement also called on the Lebanese government to intensify its efforts and take all necessary measures to shelter the displaced Lebanese, ensuring their essential needs for living and accommodation are met, while urging the international community and international organizations to fulfill their legal, moral, and humanitarian responsibilities in this regard.
It urged security, military, and municipal bodies to fulfill their duties to ensure the safety of displaced Lebanese and residents, strictly enforce the law, prioritize these issues, and prevent the armed presence, whether among the displaced community or residents, from exercising any aggression in the name of self-preservation.
Additionally, the government was encouraged to support municipalities in effectively fulfilling their roles, registering the displaced in their areas, overseeing all matters related to displaced Lebanese, and coordinating with the Governmental Disaster Management Authority to provide them with assistance.
Last week, members of the Loyalty to the Lebanese Resistance parliamentary bloc conducted a visit to displacement centers in the capital, Beirut, as part of their ongoing support for those affected by the Israeli aggression on Lebanon.
During the visit, MP Ali Mekdad from the bloc emphasized that medical supplies were being provided to the centers, ensuring adequate support for the displaced. "Medicines are being supplied to the shelters, health centers, and dispensaries, with large quantities available," Mekdad said.