Refugee Movements: Lebanon
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of refugee movements following Israeli military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)
My Lords, the Government are gravely concerned about the conflict in Lebanon and the humanitarian impact. We strongly condemn Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks against Israel. These must cease immediately. The forced displacement of 1 million Lebanese people as a result of Israeli operations is unacceptable and could have further disastrous humanitarian consequences—900 people have died. The UK Government have committed an additional £7.5 million to support immediate humanitarian needs in Lebanon, on top of our existing support.
The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford
I am grateful to the Minister for that response, and particularly for his call for de-escalation in the conflict. I imagine that many of us are shocked by the Israeli Defence Minister drawing parallels with Gaza, and I know that Lebanese officials have expressed concern. Indeed, I was present at a meeting recently where the Lebanese ambassador to this country spoke with great anxiety about Lebanon as the new Gaza. This outcome must be prevented at all costs, although the Lebanese people are of course already caught in the crossfire of hostilities, as the Minister has said. The UNHCR now says that, officially, over 800,000 people have registered as displaced. So I welcome the Government’s commitment to increased humanitarian aid and diplomatic steps to prevent further regional destabilisation, but how will they sustain support for countries in the region hosting refugees? What progress has been made on the establishment of safe and legal routes to enable asylum seekers to apply to travel safely to the UK?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
We condemn Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel. Hezbollah is a proscribed terrorist organisation and must immediately cease its rocket fire. Israel must not expand this war further into Lebanon, and we are deeply concerned by the scale of Israeli military action. We are providing humanitarian funding in Lebanon, as I have said. Since 15 March, the Foreign Secretary has announced a total of £15 million in humanitarian support for Lebanon and other countries in the region. Of the total £15 million, half the funding announced will support organisations in Lebanon. We are sustaining political engagement with both Lebanon and Israel. Minister Falconer spoke to Lebanese Foreign Minister Rajji, and the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Prime Minister Salam and to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that we need diplomatic action to prevent this conflict widening and to respond to some of the wider concerns the right reverend Prelate raises.
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)
We have plenty of time. It is the turn of the Cross Benches.
Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)
My Lords, the Minister did not mention a joint statement last week by a number of middle-ranking powers, including the UK, calling for an end to the hostilities in the south of Lebanon and Beirut. That was very welcome. But what is that group of countries doing collectively, in addition to what they may be doing bilaterally, to enable the President of Lebanon and the Lebanese armed forces to apply correctly the old ceasefire, which has now broken down?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for that question. He is right to say that we are working with our allies and partners. As he knows, we are long-standing supporters of the sovereignty of Lebanon, and we welcome the commitments made by the Lebanese Government, including banning Hezbollah’s military activities. The UK has provided over £850 million in official development assistance in Lebanon since 2011, going back through several Governments, right back to the coalition Government. This includes humanitarian and development assistance to Syrian refugees and the Lebanese community hosting them—in response to the right reverend Prelate’s question—as well as support to the Lebanese security services. I can say more if noble Lords want to ask me about international co-operation to move forward on the Strait of Hormuz.
Baroness Morris of Bolton (Con)
My Lords, the Palestinian refugee camps have been particularly affected by the military action. I have visited Shatila and Ain al-Hilweh in Lebanon, and life was pretty fragile at the best of times. I understand that the Lebanese Government are doing all they can to help the people affected, but some of the Palestinian and Syrian refugees are unable to access all that the Government are doing. With the money the Government are very generously giving to help, is anything specifically being done at this moment, in very difficult circumstances, to help the Palestinian refugees who started off with very little?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I recognise the picture the noble Baroness paints. I am very happy to find out more, and to take that back to the Foreign Office to see if we can learn more about the specific questions she raises about the refugee camps. As far as the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is concerned, the crossings are still open and commercial flights are still running—at least, they were when I last heard. I am very happy to come back on the specific point about the Palestinian refugee camps.
Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)
We will hear from the Lib Dem Benches next, and then the Labour Benches.
Lord German (LD)
My Lords, I draw attention to my interests; I am supported by the RAMP organisation. Based on yesterday’s figures, one million people are displaced in a country that already takes more displaced people than any other country in the world. We are talking about a massive humanitarian problem. The United Nations refugee agency has drawn attention to the fact that it needs an extra $61 million in funding before the beginning of June. Can the noble Lord tell us whether the £7.5 million that is to be provided is part of that United Nations’ massive appeal to assist? More than that, this situation is a feeding ground for people smugglers. What actions are the UK Government taking on the ground to deter those who may be enticed to make these disgraceful and dangerous journeys to the United Kingdom? That is an issue we will face, as a country, if we are not willing action now.
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord. Existing bilateral programming continues to bolster preparedness and national response capacity. This includes a £1 million top-up in January to pre-position emergency supplies via the British Red Cross and the Lebanese Red Cross, as well as smaller reallocations by the UNFPA, IOM, UNICEF and others, to meet urgent needs. We will, of course, keep under consideration any requests for further help. We are very mindful of the situation in Lebanon. It is an enormous displacement: hundreds of thousands of people are homeless and are sleeping in temporary shelters on the seafront in Beirut. We will certainly take that forward. With regard to people smuggling, this is a fast-evolving situation, as I am sure the noble Lord knows. We will continue to monitor that, but we are very mindful of those dangers.
Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)
I did actually say that we would hear from the Labour Benches next.
Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)
My Lords, the increasing turbulence in the Middle East—in Lebanon, yes, but also in Sudan, South Sudan and Iran—means many more humanitarian tragedies and many more people who technically qualify as refugees and asylum seekers. Are we prepared for this? What are we doing in consultation with our European allies to prepare for a greater influx of refugees and asylum seekers?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
My Lords, I have answered questions before at this Dispatch Box about the situation in Sudan and elsewhere. We are very mindful of the movement of refugees.