7 May 2013<\/i><\/p>\n
The summary conclusion of the Mussalaha delegation is that Syrian refugees in Lebanon are forced to rely mainly on their own resources and Lebanese hospitality, both of which are strained to the limit and portend a humanitarian tragedy when they are exhausted.\u00a0 Lebanon hosts a disproportionate share of refugees in both absolute terms and relative to its population (4.3 million).\u00a0 Reliable numbers are unavailable, but the most commonly quoted refugee figure is one million persons.<\/p>\n
Since the cause of this crisis is the widespread violence in Syria, we call for an immediate end of all aid \u2013 lethal and nonlethal \u2013 to all combatants, an immediate and mutual ceasefire, and immediate negotiations among all the parties without preconditions.<\/p>\n
With respect to the existing refugees, the lack of aid and support is disgraceful.\u00a0 The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) claims that normal processing is 31 days, while in fact refugees wait up to four months, often without even tents for shelter.\u00a0 UNHCR also charges a registration fee of $100.<\/p>\n
UNHCR says that it is overwhelmed and has insufficient resources.\u00a0 It should have facilities ready and waiting for new arrivals, and money should be flowing to the refugees, not from them to UNHCR.\u00a0 In order to make this possible, donor nations should immediately live up to their obligations.\u00a0 However, UNHCR also needs to be fully transparent, including an audit on the use and allocation of resources.<\/p>\n
A lot of refugee care is happening at the individual level, as generous Lebanese and even Palestinian refugees in their camps open their doors with compassion to accommodate their Syrian brothers and sisters.\u00a0 However, this support is often untenable over the long term and insufficient for the numbers of refugees, leading to makeshift camps that do not meet minimum international standards.\u00a0 These camps often receive no supervision by UNHCR or any other agency for eight months or more.<\/p>\n
In addition, the refugees become increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, including prostitution and human trafficking.\u00a0 These conditions bring shame to the agencies and committees and their sponsors charged with refugee rights and support.\u00a0 All refugees have a right to the basics of life and safety.\u00a0 They must have immediate access to support services and adequate protection from abuse.<\/p>\n
Lebanese citizens, Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon, Lebanese charitable institutions and other Lebanese civil society institutions deserve much credit for providing support that the international society has not done.\u00a0 However, a refugee influx of this magnitude is more than any society the size of Lebanon can accommodate without massive aid from the United Nations and its constituent members.\u00a0 It is a matter of urgency for them to make their actions match their words of sympathy and compassion.<\/p>\n
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The Mussalaha Delegation to Syria<\/b>:<\/p>\n
<\/b>William R. Stanley (USA)<\/strong> Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. – A bipolar view of conflict resolution that began with enlisting in the Marine Corps and service in Korea 1952-53. Starting in 1964 while undertaking field work for the Ph.D. and continuing through the present, yearly research endeavors in various corners of Africa and the Middle East. Realizing that there always are weapons for warfare and men to use them, alternative options had to be explored. Visited the Falklands in early 1983 following that conflict to assess attitudes amongst the Islanders regarding long term political relationships; official election monitor in the northern (Ovamboland) region of Southwest Africa-Namibia during the November 1989 vote organized by the UN; frequent visitor to Sierra Leone and Liberia during their recent implosions. Received two Alexander von Humboldt Fellowships: National Geographic Society financial support, and Fulbright fellowship for research in Namibia. An active investigator, I continue to write on issues of conflict and possible resolution.<\/p>\n Marinella Coreggia (Italy)<\/b>\u00a0Italian journalist and writer in the field of ecological justice; and an ecological farmer, Marinella Correggia, has been active for peace since 1991. Associated with the No War Network, she co-organized many demonstrations in Rome, petitions to the UN, sending information to some Un missions in Geneva, writing articles and conferences.<\/p>\n Mel Duncan (USA)<\/b>\u00a0is Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Nonviolent Peaceforce. Mel Duncan is the founding Executive Director and current Advocacy and Outreach Director of Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP). Modeled on the Gandhian concept of Shanti Sena, Nonviolent Peaceforce is composed of trained citizens from around the world. Mr. Duncan has 40 years of experience organizing and advocating nonviolently for peace, justice, and the environment. He currently focuses on advancing the recognition, policy and funding support for nonviolent peacekeeping at the UN.<\/p>\n Tiffany Easthom (Canada)<\/b>\u00a0She is Country Director for South Sudan for Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) which is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) engaged in the creation of a large-scale unarmed peacekeeping force, composed of specially trained civilians. Prior to becoming NP\u2019s Country Director in South Sudan, Tiffany served as Country Director at NP\u2019s Sri Lanka project as well as Country Director for Peace Brigades International in Indonesia.<\/p>\n Denning Isles (Australia)<\/b>\u00a0is a graduate of Welsey Institute, majoring in Audio Technology (2008). He currently works for Fr. David Smith with Fighting Fathers Ministries, in which he supports various youth and community organizations such as Dulwich Hill\u2019s Holy Trinity Youth Center, Binacrombi Camp Site and the Dulwich Hill Gym.<\/p>\n Franklin Lamb (USA)<\/b>\u00a0is an international lawyer based in Beirut-Washington, DC. A former Assistant Counsel of the House Judiciary Committee of the US Congress, Lamb has written widely on Middle East issues as part of his commitment to the cause of Palestine.<\/p>\n Paul Larudee (USA)<\/b> is a former Ford foundation project supervisor, and Fulbright-Hays lecturer in Lebanon, and a U.S. government advisor to Saudi Arabia. He has been a faculty member at several universities in the San Francisco Bay Area, an organizer with the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine and co-founder of the movement to break the Israeli siege of Gaza by sea, and was aboard the boats that succeeded in doing so in 2008 as well as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which was attacked by Israeli forces on May 31, 2010. He is a cofounder of the Global March to Jerusalem.<\/p>\n Amir M. Maasoumi (Canada)<\/b>\u00a0is a sociologist, specialist of contemporary Islam, intercultural and interfaith relations, dialogue among cultures and civilizations. He is also a peace, social justice and human rights activist.<\/p>\n Mairead Maguire (Northern Ireland)<\/b>\u00a0is Nobel Peace Laureate (l976) Hon. President, Co-Founder Peace People, Northern Ireland. Mairead (Corrigan) Maguire is a Nobel Peace Laureate (l976) Hon. President and Co-founder of the Peace People, Northern Ireland. Mairead was responsible for co-founding the Peace People. She has received many honors and awards, including an honorary doctorate from Yale University, the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation\u2019s Distinguished Peace Leadership Award and the Nobel Peace Prize Award (l976).<\/p>\n