Lebanon is facing increasing pressure as more Syrian refugees are fleeing their home country to seek shelter and make temporary settlement in this neighboring country. The latest official statistics from the Lebanon government show that there are currently 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, most of whom have been living there for more than a decade. Since the conflict against civilians and security personnel in the coastal cities in northwest Syria in mid-March, nearly 13,000 Syrian refugees have fled across the border into Lebanon, scattered in more than 20 villages and towns in north Lebanon's Akkar Governorate, which is close to the country’s border with Syria. The activity center of Tall Bireh Town has been transformed into a refugee camp, where pouring-in Syrians have temporarily settled down. More than 250 Syrian refugees, from babies just a few month old to elderly people in their 80s, are now living there. The influx of refugees has exerted tremendous pressure on Akkar's infrastructure and public resources. According to Tall Bireh officials, the number of refugees has exceeded that of local villagers over the past few months. Lebanon hosts one of the largest per capita populations of Syrian refugees in the world. Despite the regime change and a recent easing of U.S. sanctions, Syria continues to grapple with a fragile security environment and a deteriorated economy, further complicating repatriation efforts and reintegration. Shotlist: Tall Bireh Town, Akkar Governorate, Lebanon - Recent: 1. Various of Syrian refugees, their belongings at refugee camp; 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Syrian refugee (name not given): "When we arrived here, the Lebanese people gave us the warmest reception. Now we can sleep peacefully. Just this alone is very precious -- we can sleep safely."; 3. Kettle on stove; 4. Infant lying on sofa, crying; 5. Man holding infant 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Syrian refugee (name not given) (ending with shot 7): "We are tired of it all, really, the past wars and the ongoing wars. We are really fed up with them, and we have lost everything. Everything is gone."; 7. Various of vehicles parked on unsurfaced road, pedestrians; 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmad Haddam, local official in Akkar (starting with shot 7/partially overlaid with shot 9): "The Lebanese and Syrian people have a close relationship like family and neighbors. The official statistics are not comprehensive. The actual number of refugees may be close to 30,000, and this huge number has put a great pressure on the infrastructure of local towns and has posed severe challenges to municipal authorities in terms of medical services, living conditions, food and shelter."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Syrian refugees in yard; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Various of children playing in yard; 11. Belongings of Syrian refugee, boy passing by. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]