Sidon Municipality receives UNHCR representative and Chinese Ambassador

The Municipality  of Sidon, Engineer Mustafa Hijazi, received a diplomatic delegation that included Ms. Carolina Lindholm Billing, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, and His Excellency Mr. Chen Chuandong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, as part of efforts to mobilize international support to address the repercussions of the displacement crisis in the city .In addition to Mayor Hijazi, the delegation was received by Deputy Mayor Dr. Ahmed Akra, and members of the Municipal Council: Hisham Jaradi, Khaled Afara, Baraa Hariri, Mohammad Shamas, Wael Qasab, Hisham Hashisho, Majed Abdel Jawad, Ahmed Shuaib, and the Director of the Disaster and Crisis Risk Management Operations Room, Wafaa Shuaib.The diplomatic delegation was briefed on the progress of relief efforts, the mechanisms for documenting the number of displaced persons and distributing aid, and the extent of the logistical and field pressure the municipality is bearing as shelters reach their maximum capacity. Engineer Hijazi outlined the significant challenges facing Sidon, emphasizing that the municipality is operating with very limited resources in the face of a growing humanitarian catastrophe. The municipality directly appealed to the international community, represented by UN organizations and friendly nations such as the People's Republic of China, for urgent and direct support for relief and shelter operations.Engineer Hijazi stated, "The visit of Ms. Billing and Ambassador Chen Chuandong today is a message of international concern for Sidon, but we expect these visits to translate into swift and practical steps on the ground. Sidon has opened its doors and its heart to everyone, but the continuation of this resilience depends on the extent to which the international community responds to our urgent needs, which we presented today with complete transparency."For his part, the ambassador expressed his delight at witnessing "a picture of cohesion and unity among the Lebanese, contrary to the rumors of divisions in Lebanon. This is a true asset enjoyed by Lebanese society in general and the people of Sidon in particular, and he saw this asset clearly reflected in the shelters he visited." The UNHCR representative expressed her deep appreciation for the remarkable organization of the Sidon Municipality's operations room, noting how the city was able to absorb the waves of displacement from the very first hours and continues to outperform other areas. This, she said, reflects the team spirit and proactive planning within the municipality's disaster and crisis management cell.The two international envoys affirmed their commitment to conveying the needs raised to their respective authorities to work towards providing all possible assistance to support the city's stability and assist the displaced people residing there.

Date

Thu, Mar 26, 2026

Tags

Mustafa Majed Hijazi,Expatriates Committee