NEW YORK, September 30, 2024 (WAFA) – UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli forces’ airstrikes in Lebanon have forced thousands of people, including Palestine refugees, to flee their homes.
“We have opened seven shelters for the displaced, currently hosting 1,600 Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian people,” he said in a post in X.
“Many are traumatized due to the ongoing bombardment, uncertainty and fears. For some, it is trauma re-lived given repeated cycles of conflict over the decades.”
“A further expansion of the war will only bring more suffering for civilians. Civilians must be protected,” he added.
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said Israel’s further expansion of the war on Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen will only bring more suffering for civilians and displacement.
Who is Philippe Lazzarini?
Philippe Lazzarini is a Swiss humanitarian and the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). With decades of experience in humanitarian assistance, development, and crisis management, he has worked extensively in conflict-affected regions.
Lazzarini previously held leadership roles in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and served with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Appointed to UNRWA in 2020, he focuses on addressing the critical needs of Palestinian refugees amidst funding challenges and political complexities. Lazzarini is known for his commitment to principled humanitarian action.
T.R.
Source: wafa
