Fire Engulfs "Riyaq Camp" for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon's Bekaa
The camp fire incident refocuses attention on the chronic suffering of Syrian refugees and the absence of effective international protection, while the camp's burning compounds the tragedy of Syrian d
October 23, 2024, 10:33 pm

اللاجئين السوريين

The Syrian refugee camp in the Riyaq area of Bekaa was engulfed by a massive fire that consumed all tents and possessions, creating a new humanitarian disaster adding to the series of tragedies facing refugees in Lebanon.

The fire has displaced dozens of Syrian families who lost their last refuge and modest possessions, amid the absence of any effective official response from local authorities or international organizations.

Concerns are mounting about the disaster's impact on children, women, and the elderly, especially with the approaching winter season and the lack of alternative options for the affected families.

This tragedy reveals the fragile conditions of refugees in informal camps, where they lack basic safety and protection standards, amid deliberate neglect from the international community.

The affected families face an uncertain fate after losing shelter and possessions, especially amid escalating living pressures and racial incitement campaigns against refugees in Lebanon.

This disaster compounds the suffering of Syrian displaced persons who fled the hell of war in their country, only to find themselves caught between the hammer of racism and the anvil of neglect in their country of asylum.

This incident serves as a new warning bell about the necessity for international community action to protect refugees and provide safe housing that preserves their human dignity, rather than leaving them prey to disasters and risks in informal camps, especially amid the current military conflict between Israel and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah organization in Lebanon.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.