Damascus, Syria - Recent

Displaced Syrians in Lebanon, along with other nationals, are fleeing back to Syria following the escalation of Israel's conflict with Hezbollah.

The influx of refugees, with 7,600 Lebanese arriving in Syria on Sunday alone, is bringing pressures to Syria’s relief efforts.

A registration center was opened in the southern suburbs of Damascus about a week ago, to receive displaced people from Lebanon. After signing up, the refugees will be settled in designated hotels or makeshift shelters in the region. Some Lebanese asylum seekers are staying with relatives or friends.

A Lebanese refugee from Bekaa in southern Lebanon said his entire neighborhood was bombed with nearly everything destroyed. He said it took them about eight hours to travel to Syria because of heavy traffic.

Shotlist:
Damascus, Syria - Recent:
1. Various of refugees in hotel lobby;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed, official, Syrian government relief association (full name not given) (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3):
"The assistance we provide includes accommodation in hotels, basic housing support, and medication. There are many cases requiring surgery, X-ray examination, and medical examinations. We also provide items needed for babies, such as baby formula and diapers.";
3. Various of refugees in hotel lobby;
4. Various of refugees sitting;
5. Various of refugees standing on street;
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lebanese refugee (name not given) (starting with shot 5) (with reporter asking questions):
(Reporter: "Where are you from?")
"I am from Bekaa."
(Reporter: "What happened around the place you used to live in?")
"The whole block was destroyed. So, why should we stay there?"
(Reporter: "How was the travel?")
"The travel was hard."
(Reporter: "Why?")
"Because there were disruptions and delays.";
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lebanese refugee (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 8):
"There was shelling, so we left. The shelling was very close to our house, so we left for safety, especially since we have children. The road from Bekaa to the Lebanese-Syrian border was a bit dangerous because they [the Israeli military] were bombing civilians and their vehicles. Many civilians were killed.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of refugees in hotel lobby;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lebanese refugee (name not given) (ending with shot 10):
"Even in the 2006 war, things were not like this. At that time, our village was not affected. But in this war, our village was bombed, too. The bombing was very intense. They [the Israeli military] have been constantly firing missiles randomly at us.";
10. Various of refugees at registration center.

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