China Moves Quickly to Send Aid to Iran-Lebanon Bombed by Israel
JAKARTA - The Chinese government said it would provide emergency humanitarian assistance to four Gulf countries, namely Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
"China has announced a decision to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. We hope that this assistance can help alleviate the difficult humanitarian situation that the people there are facing," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing, Tuesday.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said nearly 25 million people were affected by the significant military escalation in the Middle East, including those in Azerbaijan, Cyprus, the Gulf countries, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
"China remains committed to the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the spirit of internationalism, and the spirit of humanity," Lin Jian added.
The ongoing conflict, said Lin Jian, has caused a very heartbreaking humanitarian disaster for the people and countries in the region, including Iran.
"China has deep sympathy for the people in the countries concerned, and our hearts share their pain," he added.
Lin Jian said China would continue to strive for a ceasefire, the restoration of peace and stability in the region as soon as possible, and the cessation of the widespread humanitarian crisis. In Iran, as of March 12, 600,000 - 1 million households have been temporarily displaced within the country due to the ongoing conflict.
This is according to UNHCR to be a dangerous environment for civilians and humanitarian workers. UNHCR's reception center and aid channels receive more than 250 calls per day from refugees.
In Lebanon, more than 816,700 people are internally displaced in more than 440 collective shelter locations, with the latest number increasing drastically to 100,000 people in one day. People are also looking for safer areas such as parts of Mount Lebanon, Beirut, the northern district, and parts of Bekaa.
The UNHRC has sent more than 65,000 relief items to 22,000 refugees in government shelters, including mattresses, blankets, jerry cans, solar lights, and sleeping mats in just four days.
Meanwhile, despite being home to millions of refugees, Syria is now experiencing a wave of more than 78,100 Syrian refugees returning and 7,800 Lebanese citizens fleeing Israel's incursion in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the situation on the Afghan-Pakistani border remains tense with an estimated 115,000 in Afghanistan and around 3,000 in Pakistan becoming refugees. Even though the situation in Afghanistan is already fragile.
UNHCR said a significant funding gap still exists across its operations in affected countries, and appealed to donors to provide much-needed additional support.