U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Visits the Bekaa Valley
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson visited the Bekaa Valley on Thursday and inspected a UNHCR Informal Tented Settlement on the outskirts of Zahle, highlighting “U.S. humanitarian assistance to Lebanon and Syrian refugees,” the U.S. Embassy said.
While there, she met with Syrian refugees, toured U.S. assistance projects, and received a briefing about the humanitarian situation from UNHCR officials. Throughout her visit, she reaffirmed the “unwavering U.S. support to Lebanese communities that are struggling to cope with the effects of the Syrian crisis,” the embassy said in a statement.
“I’m visiting from the U.S. with my colleague Ambassador Elizabeth Richard to show our support for the government of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, as they have very generously received over a million Syrian refugees into their country, and to also show support for the Syrian people, who are living in very dire conditions and who have been driven from their homeland,” Patterson said in a speech at the informal settlement.
“The United States of America will continue its commitment to assist Lebanon and the Syrian refugee population. We’re the largest donor to Lebanon and indeed to the Syrian refugees in other countries and we will continue our support,” she added.
According to an embassy statement, the United States has provided nearly $1.2 billion in humanitarian assistance to host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon since the crisis began.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/222164 |