Refugees Expelled From Lebanese Town After Murder
A northern Lebanese town ordered all refugees to leave after a Syrian man was arrested for the murder of a local woman.
Miziara has already trucked several hundred refugees out of the town. They are among about 1,000 refugee residents. The municipality said Syrians would only be allowed into the town during daytime and must have work permits.
The murder of 26-year-old Rayya Chidiac by her Syrian building caretaker also prompted another Lebanese town to crack down on Syrians. Bsharri, which lies about 18 miles (28km) from Miziara, said they cannot gather in public squares or go outside after 6 p.m. From Nov. 15 they will not be allowed to rent properties
Syrian refugees in Miziara were horrified by the murder, while protesting against their collective punishment. Syrians in Lebanon live with the constant threat of eviction by security forces, municipalities and landlords, including a recent mass eviction in the Bekaa Valley.
Bangladesh Destroys Boats Ferrying Rohingya From Myanmar
Bangladesh destroyed boats taking Rohingya refugees out of Myanmar, sparking fears that people would be trapped in the conflict in Rakhine state.
Border guards tore apart about 20 boats, accusing their owners of human trafficking and trying to bring methamphetamine into Bangladesh, where the drug is know as “ya ba.” Witnesses said guards beat and arrested refugees on board, which was denied by a border guard spokesman.
One refugee told Reuters his family were waiting to cross to Bangladesh with 6,000 other people, but he was worried that boat owners would no longer be willing to make the trip.
More than half a million people have fled Rakhine to Bangladesh since militant attacks on Aug. 25 sparked a government crackdown.
UNHCR Warns Funding Shortfall Leaves Refugees At Risk This Winter
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) warned that 4 million particularly vulnerable Syrian and Iraqi refugees and internally displaced people need urgent aid to prepare for this winter’s weather.
The agency said it had received only 26 percent of the $245 million it sought to prepare shelters for winter conditions in the region, meaning only one-quarter of displaced families were likely to receive support.
“For many Syrian refugees this will be the seventh consecutive winter in displacement,” said spokesman Andrej Mahecic. “Enduring the extreme cold, snow and heavy rains has become an annual hardship and survival battle for millions of forcibly displaced.”
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