Refugees

Lebanon refugee agencies issue joint aid card

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut

A Syrian child holds her family's new red debit card, a single common card issued by relief agencies to facilitate the delivery of aid. [Photo courtesy of Edward Johnson/World Food Programme]

A Syrian child holds her family's new red debit card, a single common card issued by relief agencies to facilitate the delivery of aid. [Photo courtesy of Edward Johnson/World Food Programme]

Relief agencies in Lebanon recently introduced a single common card for Syrian refugees that is designed to streamline and facilitate their access to humanitarian aid.

The joint debit card, the first of its kind, consolidates the efforts of the World Food Programme (WFP), UN children’s fund (UNICEF), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Lebanon Cash Consortium.

The card, which began to be distributed in October, is designed to help the most vulnerable people benefit from a range of humanitarian programmes while lowering costs to the participating agencies, the agencies said.

"Refugees will be able to receive food aid, monthly cash transfers for multiple purposes, support for children to enroll and stay in school, special winter aid between November and March and a special allowance during certain difficult times," WFP said in a statement.

Using the new red debit card, "they will be able to choose the food they need from any of the 480 shops that have signed up with the WFP, or beneficiaries could just withdraw money from any automated teller machine (ATM) in Lebanon", the statement said.

"The new card will make it easier to reach out to more than one million Syrian refugees spread across 2,000 towns and neighbourhoods in Lebanon," it added.

"The single debit card facilitates aid distribution to Syrian refugees and makes the process more effective, while bringing down costs," said Philippe Lazzarini, humanitarian co-ordinator and UN Development Programme resident representative in the Office of the UN Special Co-ordinator for Lebanon.

"Aid agencies are seeking to reach 900,000 refugees in need before the end of the year," he said at a December 1st press conference.

Before the introduction of the single card, refugees had to use multiple cards and different distribution centres to receive aid.

Combining humanitarian aid

The single card consolidates humanitarian aid from four organisations, UNHCR assistant public information officer Lisa Abu Khaled told Al-Mashareq.

"The card was ready to be used as of October 1st, and we have managed to give away 130,000 cards, which benefit 660,000 people and are topped up with $175 every month," she said.

"In the past, refugees would get a white card for the UNHCR winter aid and the Lebanon Cash Consortium aid, a blue card for aid from the WFP and another card from UNICEF for education aid," she said.

With the single card system, Abu Khaled said, "refugees are free to spend their money according to their needs".

The card allows them to purchase goods from shops working with the WFP according to their needs, she said, in place of receiving in-kind donations.

The single card makes it easier for humanitarian aid to reach refugees and is more cost effective for aid agencies, Abu Khaled said.

At present, she added, 25% of refugees are using the new card, and the goal is to raise that to 50%, to include families living in extreme poverty.

The single debit card is loaded with $175 that is topped up every month, she said, in addition to $75 winter aid.

"As for families that do not receive the monthly allowance, they are eligible for a one off winter allowance of $147 for the five months of winter," she added.

Meeting the needs of refugees

The Lebanon Cash Consortium is working on a cash project with 14,000 of the most needy Syrian families in collaboration with organisations including World Vision, Save The Children, Care, ACTED and the International Rescue Committee, said Yara Shehayed, head of communication and public information.

"We used to distribute unconditional cash allowances, but now, we have joined forces with UNHCR and the WFP and issued the single debit card," she told Al-Mashareq.

"With this card, we can help refugees buy what they need themselves from shops and commercial centres that have contracts with the WFP, and they also can withdraw money from any ATM in Lebanon," she said.

By consolidating their efforts in this way, she said, aid agencies have established a single crisis management mechanism for refugees.

After fleeing Aleppo four years ago, Layla Mohammed al-Khalil and her husband, 8-year-old son, Mohammed, and 6-year-old daughter, Nour, sought refuge in Mazraat Yachouh in al-Metn.

She previously used a white card designated for winter aid and a blue card for cash allowances and food, she told Al-Mashareq, "and on more than one occasion I would go to an ATM to withdraw money with the food card".

After receiving the single debit card in November, al-Khalil said, she no longer needs the multiple cards.

"I can use the red card anywhere to buy what we need," she said. "This new system has saved us a lot and allows me to buy what I need for my family."

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191 Comment(s)

Comment Policy * Denotes Required Field 1500 / 1500

I need to pay the rent; I am broke for the last two months and I am seeking assistance.

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I have a card of people with special needs.

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I've been dismissed from the WFP. Please follow up on my file.

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Please help. My husband has a hand injury, and can only take light jobs. I have kids. Lately, my husband started to complain of back pain. I have rent and school fees to pay. Please help.

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I need assistance.

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If assistance isn't withdrawn from the card, will the assistance disappear or will the card [unintelligible]?

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I have received the card, but until now, it hasn't been filled.

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Do us a favour and help us!

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Hello. I have received the red card. I did the eye print 4 months ago. However, the card hasn't been activated until now, and I'm not receiving any food, financial or winter assistance. How can I file a complaint?

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I’m a Syrian residing in Lebanon. I haven’t received a red card. I have twin sons aged 3 years and two months. I’ve been registered with the UN for four years. Each time I talk to them, they tell me that my file isn’t eligible. My neighbour got registered after me, but his son wasn’t registered. He doesn’t owe any rent or anything. [unintelligible]. I’ve been trying to talk to them, but to no avail. If they don’t believe me, let them come and see our condition.

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I urgently need the red card.

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I urgently need the red card. Why aren’t you being fair to people?! My situation is very tough. Just tell me what I should do so my file may become eligible. Each time they tell me the same thing. When my children get sick, I can’t afford to get them the medications. They are now in the kindergarten age, but I can’t place them there. Hope my message and voice will be heard.

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I've lost the card. I have applied for a new card, but they haven't sent a message for the new card, although I'm receiving messages that the cards have been [illegible]

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I want assistance for children.

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I have called all the UN numbers. Sometimes, my money is used up and I can’t talk to them. O, people, please let me know what I should do in order to get a card!

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Thanks a lot for this humanitarian touch. Thanks for your support to us in these tough circumstances. How can we get that card?

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How can I get this card? I urgently need it.

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How can I get the red card? We urgently need it.

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Can I get the card?

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I have a red card. However, I made a mistake in the pin number and its was blocked. I need help because my son is sick. The situation is dire. I have been unable to withdraw money for three months. Please help. File number: leb18c 54807. Phone number: 76033739

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I don't have the red card, and we aren't taking anything.

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You won't receive any assistance from the UN.

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No

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Please help.

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We're in a bad situation. One of us is diabetic. My husband can't afford a kidney operation. Our situation is very bad.

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How can I get an assistance card?

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We aren't taking anything.

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Food assistance!

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I'm Nadia al-Darwish. I've been registered for four years. Until now, I haven't received anything. I only have the [unintelligible], and I have young children. We don't have heating oil or food.

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I have received a red card, but I haven't received a message to benefit from it.

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I never got it.

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I want to get registered with the UN. Each time I call them, they don't reply. I can't find anyone to help me.

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I have been registered for two years but I haven't received any assistance. Even if I go to any organisation, and when they know that I'm registered with the UNICEF, they don't give me anything. LEB-19C55066.

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Thank you for your good intentions and good treatment! May God reward you well! Thanks a lot!

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Liars! I have been registered for 7 years. Each time I call, they tell me I’m not qualified. It looks as if they want me to burn myself so I can be qualified and beg from people so I can become qualified for assistance. Should we steal and loot in order to become qualified?!

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I have a red card, but I haven’t received any assistance. My situation is very tough. Please pay attention to this matter.

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Hello. I’m registered with the [UN] Commission. I don’t have the red card. How can I get it? My situation is tough, and my wife is 8 months pregnant. Please help.

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Hello. I’m a Syrian woman living in Lebanon. I hope the High Commission will activate the food card. I haven’t benefited from it. I’ve been registered for 5 years, and I have young children and a rent to pay. Please respond.

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I haven’t received the red card. I’m a Syrian woman. I’ve been living in Lebanon for 7 years. I have young children and I’m in need. Each time I go to the UN, they ask me to wait for a message and that they would hand me the card. However, they haven’t given me anything yet.

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I’m registered with the UN, but I haven’t received any assistance from them although they gave me a red card two and half years ago.

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Peace be upon you! Please help. I need food because I have three children. God knows about my condition. My husband has had a medical operation and can’t work. Please help. For God’s sake, please respond.

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I'm Alaa Nazal al-Jaraba. I'm registered with the UN. My son, wife and I don't have a red card, and we won't receive assistance. I ask you to please help me resettle in any European country.

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I swear by God that my condition is tough. My daughter is one year and three months old and I can’t afford to get her milk; she’s hungry. And the rent …

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I need help. I have a son and a daughter. My son needs milk and diapers. My husband used to have a good job, but now he works for one day and doesn’t for 10 days. Please help me. My home is very cold. We haven’t paid the rent for two months. If I can find a job, I would work. However, there are no jobs in Lebanon. I just need milk for my son and daughter. I don’t need anything else; just help my children. My home is extremely cold.

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My name is Ayman Mohammed Moussa. I have two kids at school. Yet, I haven’t received any assistance although I’m crippled. Please have a look.

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I'm Osama Ahmed al-Hussein. I'm unemployed. I'm married and have one child. I've been registered since 2014. Until now, we haven't received any assistance. They haven't given us the red card. I urgently need help. I'm finding extreme difficulty in getting bread for my family. Please help us.

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I didn't find any balance in the red card.

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I've had the red card for 20 months, but it is yet to be activated. I need it. I'm from Idlib.

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I need help. I'm registered with the UN, but we haven't received anything yet. I'm married.

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It isn’t just or fair that the Commission in Lebanon learn about my condition and the details of my life, together with my wife and five children … I have two little daughters. You know how we desperately need the most basic items of life, especially after I advised you more than 20 times that I’m unemployed, particularly 20 days before they dismissed me. Is that fair? Is that organisation really a humanitarian organisation?

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Excuse me, I’m Razan Nezzaredine Habash. My wife, my son and I haven’t received a card until now. We’re under zero, without any food assistance or house rent. We don’t even have money for the day. Please help. Thanks a lot.

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The situation is very bad. Thank God, we’re dead in this life. We haven’t received anything yet until now.

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I don't have a red card.

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I didn’t receive any assistance for October although they sent me a message.

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I'm like all other Syrians who haven't received any assistance. Please help me.

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Peace be upon you! I’m Abdul Majeed. My family and I have been registered with the Commission since 2014. I received assistance for four months and they then suspended us. We’re now not receiving any assistance from the UN. We contacted the Commission more than ten times, and they told us they’re examining our file, and that the examination isn’t completed yet. God suffices us and He is the best disposer of affairs! Praise be to God!

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My name is Esraa. We were registered with the UN, but we've been dismissed for 7 months. We're suffering because of our bad financial position. We aren't receiving any assistance. In addition, my father died four years ago, and we're facing very tough conditions. Please have a look at our file.

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I'm been residing in Saudi Arabia for 15 years. I haven't had an ID issued yet. I've applied for it, and it will [gibberish]. Please help.

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I’ve been in Lebanon for 8 years. I received assistance for two years, but I’m no longer receiving anything. The financial situation is bad. Please consider my case.

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I have the UN red card, but it wouldn't be refilled.

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I’m in al-Beqaa. I haven’t received any winter assistance this year. Why? Please respond.

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I’ve been in Lebanon for a year and I didn’t get anything. I entered under a responsibility which ended in April. Now there is nothing for us, no shelter or anything. We live with relatives; we would spend each day at a different house. The financial situation is bad.

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I have a card which I didn’t benefit from. I have young children, and our condition is going from bad to worse. Hope you can decide about my case.

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I urgently need help. I have a child who needs help. I am also sick. I used to receive assistance, but I was unfortunately dismissed. Please help me. Thanks.

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My situation is not much different than others. My husband was involved in an accident, and he was wounded in the head. He worked with a contractor in cleaning sewage systems. He had another accident. We have three young children. Because of this accident, he suffered an injury in his hand nerves. I started to bear all the burdens myself although I have health problems in nerves and joints. I went to the Commission more than once, and I submitted more than one complainant, but to no avail. They’ve suspended all assistance at a very tough time, and God only knows about our situation. I hope that those who have any shred of humanity will look at our situation. Thanks.

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I’ve received the red card, but I have only received the winter assistance using it. I can’t work because of my health condition. In addition, my children weren’t accepted at any school.

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All this is good, but I haven't benefited from anything from the UN. I have been registered, but I haven't received any assistance from you.

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I've received the red card, but I haven't received any assistance. Can you help me? I have young children, and we urgently need assistance. Hope you can help me, especially as I have no job.

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I have a card and I'm receiving assistance. However, the bin number was burnt. Please help us. I'm an old woman and I don't have anyone to support me.

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I’m Jamal Juma al-Ali. I’m from Syria. I haven’t received any assistance. I’ve been without work for three years and unable to provide for my family. We stopped using milk because we can no longer afford it. We don’t have any money. Please help us. Our situation is very tough. Why do you give some people 260, food and heating assistance, while you gave me heating assistance for just two months? I hope you can help us travel outside Lebanon, as there are people who are harassing us here.

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Why shouldn't I receive assistance?

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My name is Thaer Kanan. I'm a Syrian refugee. I have a wife and three young children. I'm disabled (poliomyelitis). I'm the only bread winner of my family. I can't work. Our living conditions in Lebanon are bad. We need financial assistance from the Commission office in Lebanon. Until now, we haven't received the financial card of 260,000 Lebanese liras although we urgently need it.

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They didn’t give me any assistance; they suspended the food assistance, but gave me heating assistance. I’m not seeing any other assistance although my children are little. I have four children.

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Peace be upon you! The article is true, but I have two young children. I only have the white card. I’ve filed a complaint about the red card, but they haven’t given it to me yet. My husband is crazy; he’s deserted me with my family who gives me money to feed my children because they’re young. I hope the Commission will pay attention to me because nobody is supporting me. Life is very tough. God suffices me and He is the best disposer of affairs! 16C00171-947.

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May God relieve us!

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I’ve had the white card for three years, but I have taken [assistance] just once. Last year, I didn’t take anything. They haven’t sent me anything this year. I don’t have the red card.

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I’ve been in Lebanon since 2011. I’ve been registered with the UN since 2016, but I haven’t seen anything from them. Each time I call them, they tell me that they know their job. They haven’t called us until now. Why is that? I need food and diesel oil. This is unjust.

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We have been denied food assistance for a month. Nobody is giving me anything. They gave me heating assistance for a year and then stopped and I don’t know why. I have a sick child. I can’t afford it. There are people who don’t need but take heating and food assistance and house rent. Please check it for me.

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I’ve been living in Lebanon for six years. I haven’t returned to my country because my problem is big and I know its magnitude. If it had been an easy thing, I would have returned to my country. However, as I know about my problem, I couldn’t return until now. The Commission didn’t help me although I urgently needed help from it. If my problem had been an easy thing, I would have returned to my country six years ago. I know about the pressures on the Commission. However, I’m just asking for assistance and neither the Commission nor human rights organisations helped me. I ask for help. I repeat, I ask for help. O, human rights organisations, I need assistance. Al-Sisi is deceiving his people. Some poor classes in Egypt can’t afford even food. He’s also deceiving Christians; he’s only apologizing and hasn’t done anything other than apologizing. He hasn’t been able to resolve the problem once and for all. He’s only apologizing. Therefore, the situation of Copts in Egypt is becoming worse and worse because churches have been burnt and demolished and unarmed people have been killed. You all know about the persecution which Copts in Egypt, myself included, are facing in Egypt. Because of my name, Michel, I couldn’t get a job to sustain me. I was rejected in every job I applied for because of my name. All the companies I applied to rejected me because of my name. I couldn’t get a job opportunity because of my name. Why is this the case although I’m Egyptian and a

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Most of what was mentioned in the article is true and very good. However, some benefit for four months only and others for five months. Is the winter divided into parts? Some get heating for four months and then their winter ends, while others get it for five months. As to another very important issue, most of the people have gone for immigration without any follow-up, while others continued with the issue of travel but nobody cared about them. Thank you!

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Good morning. I'm Syrian. I received the red card on 1/4/2017, but I haven't received any assistance ever since.

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I haven't received any assistance. My daughter is young and I can't work. Please help.

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Why are you torturing yourselves? Nobody will respond to us. [Gibberish]. We sometimes sleep without us or our children eating. Let them come and see with their own eyes. These are just words and chats. [Gibberish]. Unfortunately, all the problems of the rich only have been solved.

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People who don't need help have received cards, and those who are in need haven't been helped. All people are not the same; this assistance was sent to the poor Syrian people, but unfortunately, it has been given to the rich.

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Yes, we received the unified red card, but we haven't benefited from anything, including the education assistance. We urgently need the food assistance. I have five children and my husband. I've already submitted more than one complaint, but to no avail. Please have mercy on us and look at our file.

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I had an interview about travel in 2015, but until now I haven't been told about anything. My children and I are suffering a lot in Beirut. This is sent for your information. Thanks a lot.

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Please help me. I haven't received the food assistance or the card or anything else. My family and I have been refugees in Lebanon for four years. I've submitted many complaints, but I haven't benefited from anything. I can't work because I have some health problems which occurred to me in Lebanon.

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I've been in Lebanon since January 3rd, 2013. My family and I haven't received any assistance, neither cash nor food, since we came to Lebanon. I have four children, the youngest of them is only 2 years old. I hope you'll decide about our case. Please help me and my family.

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I received the joint card, but all assistance was stopped after that. I have four orphan children. Each time my neighbours go to bring the food assistance, my children cry and say why we don't have assistance like the neighbours, where the father, mother, brother and sister are old and work and receive US$ 175 every month. I swear by God that this is not just. We're starving, as we're living on just one meal a day. I wish they can show kindness to my children, by giving them anything like IndoMie, or a box of chickpeas or some bread. Please have a look at my file and prepare a report on my condition which is very sad.

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My name is Maysaa Yahia Ismail. Please help me. I don't have anyone to help me. My children are young. My file number is c1117914-781. I deserve [assistance] more than many other people who are receive food assistance. Why should people receive food assistance while others don't? This is not fair.

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I lost the white card two years ago. I have received the red card, but it hasn't been activated yet. We're a family of seven. Please help.

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Please review my file No. 245-14C24183 and give me urgent assistance.

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I hope the UN will review the file of Fatema Mohammed Moaz. Can this mother be dismissed from financial assistance when she has nobody to support her, neither son nor husband?

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I was registered with the Commission. However, they haven't given us any assistance, whether financial or food assistance. I went to the Commission, but they didn't [gibberish]. I don't know why they're doing this; they would let one die as long as they aren't [gibberish] and without any assistance. I hope someone will look into this and see those people. If we hadn't had a need, we wouldn't have gone to you. You don't even answer anyone. Where's justice?! May God relieve everyone!

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I know that nobody will answer me. I'll talk anyway, and I hope my voice will reach those who have conscience. My phone number is 76449373

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I've not received any winter assistance for three months. My file number is LEB-16c61333.

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I'm a Syrian refugee in Lebanon. My file number is 781-13C16264. I've been dismissed from food assistance for 1 and half years. I have three children. I was wounded in a road accident, and my feet are in a pitiful condition. I can't walk. My children sleep without food. If my condition doesn't deserve to be assisted, who will? Please answer quickly.

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I ran away from the war four years ago, not out of fear of death, but to secure education for my children. They were doing very well at school. However, when they joined a Lebanese school, my children and I faced difficulties because the Lebanese curricula are tough for us. We faced difficulties in the first and second years, but now, thank Allah, they’re competing against the best at school. I don’t seek money or a food card. I pray to Allah to protect my children and to see them among the very best at school. Our demand is just to encourage children to learn.

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My name is Bandar Youssef al-Jassim. I've been dismissed from the UN for 2 years. I didn't receive the winter assistance this year. I don't have anything, neither food nor anything. My daughter and I have nothing. Please help us. My phone number is: 71954831

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I have received the red card, but it hasn't been activated yet. I don't know why, but I didn't attend the verification of the blue card in the last time. Please help.

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I’m the head of a 7-member family. I have a problem; money doesn’t suffice us. All refugees receive monthly financial assistance, while I receive it in winter only.

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Monthly assistance: File No.: LEB16C70128, User’s Number: 70534327. We seek financial assistance. [Gibberish]

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I’m Syrian. I’ve been living in Lebanon for 3 years. I haven’t received any food assistance throughout that period. We’ve checked with the Commission, and yet, we haven’t benefited from anything.I have two children. I’m unemployed because of the requirements laid down by the government for Syrians to work.

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I haven't received any assistance although I have 6 kids.

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You, lady, have been talking about a joint card although I have received only food assistance. I have never received any financial assistance.

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I’ve been registered for 4 years, but I’m not qualified to receive assistance. Alright. There are people who have the 260 card, and they receive heating oil and food card. Meanwhile, there are other people who don’t have even bread to eat. There are people who have gold, and others who are dying of hunger. Try to be fair to all people; there can’t be people who take everything while others who go to bed without dinner.

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By Allah, we’ve been in Lebanon for three years. We need food assistance. Each time we go, they tell us they would contact us. We’ve been waiting, and each time we receive a message, we say relief has come!

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We’re a family of seven. My feet don’t help to work to afford home expenses, rent and other needs. I have a baby who needs a milk packet every 5 days and diapers. I can’t afford this because I can’t work for many hours. For this, I can’t meet the needs of my home. I’m requesting the High Commission to help me. Thanks a lot.

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I've been registered for two and half years. I haven't received any assistance; neither food nor heating. Not even travel. Please help.

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I have two daughters aged 3 and 1. We are not receiving anything. Each time I check with the Commission, they say they will send me a message. They do this all the time.

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I have been here for two days, and I haven't received anything.

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Four years ago, they told me that I was not qualified to receive food assistance, and that I deserve the other assistance. My situation is very bad because I’m unemployed because of health reasons related to my back. I’ve already submitted 50 complaints that I don’t receive any food or winter assistance from any organisation. I live at a room, and my family consists of 5 members. We’re not qualified for housing. I don’t know when this [Illegible] for us. Nobody is answering us. There are people who take all types of assistance although they don’t need. There are many other things that I’d like to talk about, but it’s no use. I’ve overstayed my residency for 3 years and my passport expired two years ago.

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My name is Amina Yasuf Barguth. I’ve been registered for more than two years, and you haven’t given me the food card. Is this justice? By Allah, there are many people who don’t need and yet they receive a food card every month. I’m disabled, diabetic, and have high blood pressure and heart disease. I have none but Allah. I have 5 children. Tell me where the assistance that is sent especially to us is?! It seems [gibberish].

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I was paid last year, but I wasn't paid this year. I don’t know why.

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Peace be upon you! I haven’t received anything of what you said. I haven’t received any assistance at all. Nothing. Please do justice about this. May Allah bless your efforts!

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Why should certain people receive US$ 175 and others don’t? I have been registered with the Commission for four years. I have received the red card. However, I only receive food assistance of US$27 per person. Please explain.

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I haven't seen much for 4 years.

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We have been registered for two years and one month. We haven’t received any food or any other assistance. Who should we complain to?! It’s humiliating to complain to anyone other than Allah. We eat bare bread most of the days, waiting for things to become better. However, we’re facing all types of problems, including rent. We don’t know how to afford it. Allah only knows.

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I’m not receiving any food or other assistance, such as fuel, etc. This is although I have filed more than one complaint and have been registered for more than 2 and half years. My phone number is: 79115306

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I have a son and a daughter under the age of two. I haven’t benefited from anything. They haven’t given me a food card or the 260000 card. Meanwhile, other people are receiving millions.

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I haven't received the winter assistance. 78943435

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Bayan al-Khatib. I haven’t received any of the winter assistance until now. I have urgent need. I don’t have a man. I have a small child, and the winter is very tough. I need help. Please look at my situation.

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I have received the card, but the food part has not been activated.

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They haven't given me a red card. My situation is very bad. Please help. Thanks.

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We have been registered for one year. This winter we haven’t benefited from anything; they just gave us food. Please note we have small children. We’re 6 and I have students who go to school.

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I have been registered for two and half years. You gave us for one month and then dismissed us. You haven’t given us the red card. Are there people who are better than others?!

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They haven't given us anything until now; neither food nor any other assistance. I have been registered for two years.

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I have received the red card, but I haven't benefited in any way.

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I’ve been registered for 4 years with the Commission, but I haven’t received any food assistance, or a blue or red cards. My wife is pregnant, and I have a 2-year old daughter. We live in Tripoli, Abi Samra. I’ve received the winter assistance only, for the first time, for 5 months. My wife will give birth next March. My family is registered with the UN just to [gibberish].

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There's nothing for Iraqis.

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I didn't receive anything last year or this year. You've registered me for nothing!

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These are great word from Abu Khalid. However, there are many people who have red cards and yet are not receiving all types of assistance, such as winter heating, schools, child rescue, etc.

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Hasan Abdul Rahman Sakun. I'm not receiving anything.

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I’ve been registered with the United Nations for one year and four months now. I’ve had four interviews. Until now, I haven’t benefited from anything and I haven’t received any assistance from anyone, although I urgently need assistance. I can’t work due to my health condition, because I’ve had surgeries in my two legs. The UN centre knows about my condition and situation, and so does [gibberish] Centre. I haven’t received any assistance yet, although there are many families who have been registered with the UN only recently and have received that red card. I know they don’t need help. I leave it to your conscience. Not only this, but I also know that there are families who’ve been registered with the UN Refugees Commission although they’re residing in Syria. They receive that assistance their relatives who are in Lebanon. Where is justice?

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I’m not receiving anything. Please help. I’m in a very critical situation.

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This is very good. However, I’ve been registered for two years and I have benefited from anything. They only gave me the winter assistance this year. Others, meanwhile, who are in a better position than mine, are benefiting.

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I’m not receiving anything although my wife is about to give birth. Please consider our situation. Everything that is coming to us is being coordinated and we’re not getting anything.

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I haven't received the joint card.

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I used to have a food card. However, it has stopped for two years. There are families that don’t need. I’ve filed more than one complaint, but to no avail. It seems that payment is inconsistent. There are families outside Lebanon who have sold their cards which are still valid. We hope the Commission will look at that.

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I’d like to thank the international relief agency and the hosting Lebanese state. However, I’m facing deteriorating economic conditions because of the low income and the many daily calamities, which may be normal for someone whose income cover. I’m living a life that is worthy of compassion. I work at a car wash business and I receive a salary of US$400. My house rent, together with utilities, is US$380. This means that I only have US$20 left if I don’t miss any days of my work. If I receive tips from customers, I’ll get vegetables, bread and fruits for my family. If I don’t receive any tips, they won’t have what they hope for. I cancel some things in order to get my son a sweater or any other piece of clothes. If it hadn’t been for the foods I’m receiving from the UN, I would have begged at streets. However, they send me from time to time that I don’t need, that there are others who deserve more. Their messages are destroying my nerves out of fear. I return to them and communicate with them in order to object. I live with my tension, and they would then bring me back. When winter assistance comes, I have to renew my papers in the general security department. I was depending much on this winter assistance for several reasons, as it includes clothes for my two daughters and son (one of my daughters is registered with the UN, while the other is not.) When I handed my house and lived with my wife’s family, I put my house objects with other people. My wife was pregn

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I have received the red card. However, it hasn't been activated yet; it's still empty.

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These are all lies! There are people who have taken everything although they don’t need anything, while others who do have needs have seen nothing. The Commission is a failure, and the standards on which they distribute know nothing about humanity.

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I’ve filed a complaint because my card was broken so that the Commission may replace it. I urgently need it, and I haven’t benefited from it at all.

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Thank you very much. I have a red card that I received from Caritas Education, and they said it would [gibberish] with the start of school. I wonder if it will be activated for assistance. Thanks a lot.

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Any assistance and anything! I’ve been registered for 3 years, and I urgently need assistance. Neither my family nor I have received anything.

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All thanks and respects to you.

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I have a family of 7, and I’ve only received winter assistance for more than two years. I’ve received the red card, and I’ve received $20 a month for my son who goes to school. That’s all.

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May Allah bless your efforts and relieve us and you of concerns and reward you in the best possible way!

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I haven't benefited from the [Gibberish] card. We're 5 people, and I have 3 children who are under 5 years old.

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Damn the card! There are people who take and others who are told that there are others who deserve more than them. Ok, do you live with us to know? We know that this is nothing but theft at the expense of Syrians.

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Until now, we haven’t received anything from any entity. Every time we contact an entity, they say they cannot do anything to me. Please have a look at our situation. I have two children, and my wife will give birth to another baby after 3 months. Please have a look at our situation.

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There is no Lebanese national whose condition is worse than a Syrian.

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It’s not true that Syrian refugees are receiving an amount of USD 147 a month. Even the winter assistance hasn’t been received. We’ve just received the red card, and we have the USD 27 monthly assistance per person. We haven’t received anything else.

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They haven't helped me for a long time. I'm a university student and they haven't given me anything.

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Dear brother, they have given me the red card. When I put it in the ATM, it doesn’t work. I can’t get the school fees or any other money and I don’t know why. I went to the UN, they gave me a number and asked me to call it. When I call it, it is always busy and nobody is answering. Why?

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Peace be upon you! I’m Mahmoud Amin. I’ve been registered with the United Nations in Lebanon for two years now, and yet I haven’t received the red card. Please help me receive the red card.

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By Allah, we haven't liked neither a red nor a green card. [Gibberish] the commission.

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Thanks for your efforts. However, for renewal, I hope you can find a permanent solution for families that are here. My thanks and appreciation to you.

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We’ve been registered for about 1 year, and we haven’t received the card, although those who registered after us have received it.

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I’ve seen Syrians who need help, but aren’t receiving it. I have seen other Syrians who hold both Lebanese and Syrian nationalities and who receive assistance. This is thanks to the inefficient employees. Please check the matter of dual nationalities. There are people who have been residing in Lebanon for many years, for more than 10 years, and who are receiving assistance that they don’t need, exactly like those who have lost everything in Syria.

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This is for certain people and not others; I have seen something.

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Thanks for your effort.

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How about those who have children to support and haven’t received that red card, and who can’t afford their rent? They can work to pay either the rent or buy food for their children. If the latter, the rent will accrue one month after the other.

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Assistance is for the people who don't need it. It is Allah Whose help can be sought.

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I want to know on what basis the neediest people are evaluated? There are people who drive a Jeep worth $6,000, and how can they have more need than those people who don’t work? How can those who are in Syria need more than those who live in camps, or students in Lebanon Mount are different from students in Beqaa?

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No, because there are people who are benefiting and others whom they don't accept to register. I mean there is discrimination.

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Thanks to all humanitarian organisations.

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I have a sick boy and my debts are sky high. I also have pain in my back and neck discs. Nobody has helped me with anything. I’ve gone to the Commission with pictures of my sick boy, but they told me that they can’t help me. I want to see the centre manager in al-Hosh, Tyre, but they told me that none can see him. We just can’t see him, and they didn’t want to help us with anything. We only have Allah who suffices us and who is the best disposer of our affairs. O, you United Nations of destruction, killing, displacement and starvation.

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We have Allah!

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A very great achievement. I hope I and all those in need can benefit from it, Allah willing.

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I haven’t received anything of this or any assistance since I was registered with the Commission. Please help me in this. My number is 71849080.

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I haven't received anything of this.

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I hope our voice will reach those entities that are responsible for us. We’re a Syrian family. There are many poorer families who live under the poverty line and yet most of those poor families are not receiving any assistance. Most of the beneficiary families are buying gold and have self-sufficiency. I hope there will be justice. We’ve been deprived under the pretext that there is no sufficient support. I have three young children and we can’t work. We can’t even afford our rent or move around Lebanon as it is not possible to renew the residence. I hope that our voice will reach conscientious people.

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I don’t have a food card. I have been registered for 2 years now. They have given me a heating card this year. I haven’t received anything this year. Please help me. My number is 71775819.

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Regarding the dismissed people who have become under the poverty line and cannot live or afford the rent, can you help them and how?

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Of course, right. Can I cash that from the ATM or not?

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I’ve been registered with the United Nations for 3 years now. I now have a baby who is 1 year and 9 months old and a daughter who is 7 months old. I urgently need assistance. Our situation is bad, and the children have a lot of needs. I haven’t received any assistance from any entity. Please consider my situation. Thank you. 71892930.

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Please look at the people who aren't benefiting anything from the UN. Thanks.

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Excellent! In this case, anyone who obtains this card is free to do whatever they want with their financial allocations according to their own needs. How will we obtain this $175 worth assistance?

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These are all lies. I have been registered since 2013, and I have renewed my documents with the United Nations. I now have a daughter, but nobody has helped me. They’re all liars.

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From 2015. I haven't received anything from the refugees commission.

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Allah willing, we'll return.

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I haven't received this card. Can you please follow up on this issue?

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Neither I nor my family have seen this card. I've been a refugee for 4 years in Lebanon.

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We don’t have a red card like all those other people. I have little children. What guilt have they committed? We have been deleted for two years. I have submitted so many requests, but nobody responded. Why this injustice?

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I definitely don’t like it because it is unfair and unjust. You’ve made people benefit at the back of others, and this is just not right. You’ve given us the winter card for 150,000, but this year, you’ve deprived us of it, together with the food card. You’ve added the heating card to others, raising the amount to 220,000. If you make it 110,000 to every family, many refugees will benefit. I haven’t even received a student’s salary although I have a daughter who goes to the preparatory school. I haven’t even received the rent. Where’s justice? We’re all Syrians and we’re all refugees. If you believe that I don’t need any assistance, why should I be a refugee with you? Just cancel my file and enough with these insults and humiliations. Whenever we go to the Commission to demand our rights, we hear insults and get expelled. Yet, you ask us to come and appeal and demand our rights. Your words are different from your actions. I didn’t even benefit from travelling, although there are others who registered after me and travelled. I’ve applied for travel since 26 September 2013, and I’ve been in Lebanon since July 2013. My mother and brothers are in Germany. My mother is now crippled and can’t talk. She is now at a nursing home and urgently needs us. Where’s justice?

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I’m Syrian. I’m more vulnerable and have a bigger need for protection. My situation is very tough, and yet, I’m not receiving any assistance from the United Nations. Meanwhile, there are families, who I can name, who are receiving food assistance, cash assistance, winter assistance, even though they don’t need it. My file number with the United Nations is 94715c01132.

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We are among the people who are not benefiting, and we haven’t obtained the red card. I want to know the reason. People around us have benefited and have taken a red card, although they have recently come to Lebanon. We’ve been here for 4 years. Please respond.

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I've registered with the United Nations for 8 months and I haven't received any cards.

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I used to benefit from the winter card for an amount of 220,000, but now it has become 110,000. Please consider this request, especially as I have a family of six.

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I only receive food assistance????

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