UN Suspends Cash Assistance to Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

The United Nations has suspended the provision of all cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon for the next month, according to a joint statement by UN representatives issued Saturday. The announced suspension applies to all cash assistance, regardless of the currency in which it is distributed.

On Friday, caretaker Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar called for a reversal of the UN refugee agency’s recent move to grant US dollar cash aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, which he affirmed a mistaken decision and a crime against Lebanon.

“We were not consulted on this matter, even though we are the concerned ministry,” Hajjar said.

In their statement, the UN representatives claimed, “As a result of a series of meetings held yesterday with the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and … Hajjar, and at their request, the decision was taken to suspend the provision of cash assistance to refugees, in both currencies, for next month.