Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUNHCR / LEBANON SALIH VISIT
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: UNHCR / LEBANON SALIH VISIT
TRT: 03:53
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 13 – 15 APRIL 2026, BEKAA / BEIRUT, LEBANON
13 APRIL 2026, BEIRUT, LEBANON
1. Pan right, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih walking towards a building hit by an Israeli airstrike
2. Various shots, Salih and General Khreich, the head of the Lebanese Civil Defence, in front of the destroyed building
3. Various shots, destroyed building
4. Various shots, bulldozer removing rubble of destroyed building while Lebanese Civil Defence member sprays water
5. Various shots, Salih in area with tents for displaced people and talking to displaced Lebanese
6. Various shots, displaced Lebanese fixing their tents
7. Various shots, delivery of relief items, unloading of aid from truck
14 APRIL 2026, BEIRUT, LEBANON
8. Various shots, Salih meeting displaced Lebanese families at school serving a shelter for displaced
15 APRIL 2026, BEIRUT, LEBANON
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Barham Salih, High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations:
“Let's hope it has reached its peak and it's time to de-escalate. It's time to end this war and it's time to have a genuine diplomatic, peaceful settlement that will end this unrelenting cycle of violence. Resilience has its limits. Lebanon has been known for its resilience. Lebanon has been a haven for tolerance and hospitality forever. Lebanon does not deserve these repeated cycles of wars and conflict. Time is for peace, time is for stability and in that regard, we are supporting the Lebanese state government in order to deliver on its mission; to help the people of Lebanon and we need to stand with the government of Lebanon in this time of crisis.”
14 APRIL 2026, BEKAA, LEBANON
10. Various shots, Salih meeting with Syrian refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, today (15 Apil) called for the end of the war in Lebanon and urged for civilian protection and sustained support as escalation in Lebanon continues.
At the end of his first official visit to Lebanon as UNHCR chief, Salih said, “it's time to have a genuine diplomatic, peaceful settlement that will end this unrelenting cycle of violence. Resilience has its limits. Lebanon has been known for its resilience. Lebanon has been a haven for tolerance and hospitality forever. Lebanon does not deserve these repeated cycles of wars and conflict.”
The High Commissioner visited affected areas in Beirut and the Bekaa valley, meeting displaced families in government established sites. Many were forced to flee their homes at very short notice without personal belongings amid repeated evacuation orders, triggering fear and uncertainty. They stressed to the High Commissioner their wish to return to their homes despite the large-scale destruction in their towns and villages.
Salih reaffirmed the UN Refugee Agency’s solidarity with Lebanon and its people, underscoring the organization’s continued commitment to the humanitarian response and the urgent need for sustained international support for national efforts amid ongoing hostilities and large-scale displacement.
The High Commissioner said, “time is for peace, time is for stability and in that regard, we are supporting the Lebanese state government in order to deliver on its mission, to help the people of Lebanon and we need to stand with the government of Lebanon in this time of crisis.”
One fifth of Lebanon's population is now displaced, with needs growing daily. Since early March, over 1 million people have been displaced across Lebanon with over 2,100 deaths and 7,000 injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Refugees are among the casualties, with 48 fatalities and 116 injuries.
More than 140,000 individuals are sheltering in 684 Government designated collective shelters, nearly all at full capacity. Among the displaced are Syrian refugees who had fled to Lebanon looking for safety in the past, and now are forced to flee for their lives again. Over 280,000 people have crossed into Syria since 2 March through the three official border crossings, including nearly 238,000 Syrians and around 44,000 Lebanese.
During his visit Salih met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi, and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Al Hajjar.
UNHCR and partners have assisted over 196,000 displaced individuals by providing essential relief items. UNHCR has also increased emergency shelter assistance to help create safe and dignified conditions for the displaced. UNHCR is also providing psychosocial support, cash assistance and protection counselling and advice to help displaced people recover lost documents, reunite with family, and access services and accommodation.
