© REUTERS/ Omar Ibrahim

UNHCR is working with the Lebanese authorities to assist some 2,000 Syrian refugees who have fled the violence in their country. UNHCR teams at the border are visiting the refugee locations to identify persons with specific needs such as health problems, psycho-social concerns or additional material needs; detect protection problems, for example separation of family members or threats to the security of the refugees; assess the need for food and non-food-items; and share information on rights and responsibilities and the availability of services.

UNHCR is currently not involved in receiving or assisting the estimated 8,400 Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey. The Turkish authoritities have stated that they are able to cope with the refugee influx and do not for the time being need internatioinal support. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has offered Turkey UNHCR’s support whenever the Turkish Government deems that necessary.