Storm Miriam kills two Syrian refugees in Lebanon

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A young Syrian refugee and his 7-year-old sister killed Wednesday when he was trying to rescue his sister, who had been swept away by flooding in southern Zahrani area in Lebanon, Zaman al-Wasl reporter and Lebanese media said.

Storm Miriam abated Thursday morning, but not before taking the lives of at least four people and injuring over 10 more, according to the Lebanese Daily Star.

In Naameh, a 10-year-old child died and about five more suffered injuries as strong winds and heavy rains dislodged a giant rock that fell on a Syrian family’s home.

Throughout Lebanon, residents had grappled with severe weather conditions from Miriam.

Rainfall turned into sporadic hail starting Wednesday evening in most coastal cities, and winds reached speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour around midnight in the south, damaging crops, greenhouses and fruit trees.

Due to the snowy forecast, at least 847 Syrian refugees had to relocate due to damage to their shelters, while over 700 relocations were reported in the north, The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in statement.

The flooding, heavy winds and severe drops in temperature in Lebanon affected the spontaneous camps of Syrian refugees in the majority of the country's areas, with over 50,000 people remaining in at-risk zones, UNHCR) said.

"UNHCR and partners estimate that approximately 850 informal settlements, hosting 50,000 refugees, are at risk of flooding. The response is coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and UNHCR, in close cooperation with affected municipalities", the report read.

Last week, an 8-year-old Syrian refugee girl found dead after torrent of floodwaters swept her from a road in the northern Minyeh-Dinnieh district on Tuesday where she was playing with her sister, according to Zaman al-Wasl reporter.

The U.N. refugee agency announced that emergency stocks and sanitation supplies were replenished in anticipation of the new storm, while teams are monitoring family separation cases to ensure children are protected during possible evacuations.

The UNHCR reported that at least 22,500 refugees at 570 camps and informal settlements were affected by severe flooding and heavy snow brought by storm Norma last week.

(Zaman Al Wasl, The Daily Star)

Zaman Al Wasl